Don’t question Penang’s sovereignty, Chow tells Kedah MB

 

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (right) and Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on the sidelines of the 257th Rulers’ Conference at Istana Negara on Nov 24. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow wants an end to questions over the sovereignty of Penang by Kedah.

He rallied the Penang assembly today in asking everyone to uphold and defend the state, stating that Penang was an equal member of the Malaysian federation.

Chow said the “Kedah owns Penang” argument put forth by the Kedah government had led to confusion among Malaysians and ought to be looked at from a legal perspective.

He said the 1948 Malayan federation agreement, and subsequently the 1985 Kedah and Penang (Alteration of Boundary) Act, had further solidified the fact that Penang was a state on its own. No one had contested this then, he said.

Chow said Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had not made any claims over Penang at the recently concluded menteris besar and chief ministers meeting.

“We did not hear a word from him. Maybe the most honourable menteri besar of Kedah was not brave enough to say it there, as he is used to making comments via the media. If he is so serious about it, he should write to the federal government on the matter,” the Padang Kota assemblyman said during Question Time.

It was the first time the chief minister had appeared less diplomatic over the issue since Kedah first made an arbitrary claim that Penang was its vassal state and that it owed Kedah lease money.

Chow was replying to Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubok), who had asked him about Kedah’s claim and whether Sanusi had demanded royalties or compensation from Penang at the menteris besar meeting.

Opposition leader Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua) then told Chow that he should sit down with the Kedah menteri besar and “settle” this issue. He also asked if Chow had accurate facts regarding the issue.

Chow said under the state and federal constitutions, Penang’s sovereignty was clear and undebatable.

“If some cultural or history expert wants to study and comment about the history of the state, say the early Hindu and Buddhist influences, that is fine.

“Both the government and opposition must uphold and defend this great state. It is very clear that our sovereignty cannot be questioned.”

Sanusi had recently demanded that Penang make a higher “lease” payment of RM100 million for the occupation of Kedah land. He had also demanded compensation for water being drawn from Sungai Muda, a river that originates in Kedah, but flows out to the sea via Penang. - FMT