PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he has left the matter of any further action against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s claim that “Penang belongs to Kedah” to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat during Prime Minister Question Time, Anwar described Sanusi’s claim as “irresponsible” and confirmed several police reports were lodged on the matter, including under the Sedition Act.
“I have left the matter fully to the AGC to take appropriate action,” the premier said in a response to Lim Guan Eng (Harapan-Bagan).
Anwar said Penang's status as a state separate from Kedah had been resolved before independence, at the time under the reign of Kedah's ruler - Sultan Sir Badlishah Abdul Hamid Halim Shah - and reaffirmed since under the Federal Constitution.
"All past agreements (signed with the British) were declared void.
"If there was one request from the late Sultan Badlishah to the British, it was for the people of Seberang Perai to decide whether they wanted to remain with Penang or join Kedah," he added.
Anwar said the final agreement to form the Federation of the Malay States in August 1957, remained as a basis of the current constitutional provisions.
"So why is the matter (on Penang's status) raised now? Because of the state elections! [...] This matter had never been raised before except for (now) by an irresponsible leader," he said.
Several opposition lawmakers earlier attempted to raise a point of order and stop Lim from asking the question which they claimed contained a negative assumption.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, however, ruled for Lim to proceed as he did not find any of the elements claimed by the opposition.
Previously, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had defended Sanusi against calls for action to be taken against him, stating there needed to be an "academic discussion" on the matter.
On June 1, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer lodged a report against Sanusi and Penang police chief Khaw Kok Chin said the case is being investigated under the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. - Mkini
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