GEORGE TOWN, June 3 – Lim Guan Eng, the National Chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Member of Parliament for Bagan, strongly criticized the Kedah Menteri Besar, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, for his recent claim that Penang belongs to Kedah and his demand to amend the Federal Constitution to erase Penang from the map. Lim Guan Eng emphasized that the People’s National Party (PN) should be taught a lesson for betraying Penang’s right to exist as an integral part of Malaysia.
According to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, Penang is recognized as one of the 14 states that constitute the Federation of Malaysia. Article 1(3) further acknowledges Penang as a territory with its own distinct identity. Article 2 stipulates that the boundaries of any state are determined by Parliament, subject to the consent of the affected states and the Conference of Rulers.
Faiz Fadzil, the Permatang Pasir Assemblyman from the People’s Justice Party (PH) in Penang, emphasized that the boundaries between Penang and Kedah were legally established and codified under the Akta Kedah dan Pulau Pinang (Pengubahan Sempadan) 1985, in accordance with Article 2. This means that the demarcation of boundaries between Penang and Kedah was mutually agreed upon by both states and the Conference of Rulers, as mandated by the Federal Constitution.
Lim Guan Eng pointed out that Muhammad Sanusi’s demand to amend the Federal Constitution and erase Penang from the map is a deceptive political strategy aimed at gaining electoral advantage for PN in the upcoming state elections. It is a baseless claim without any legal foundation. He called on the 1.8 million Penangites to defend their state’s sovereignty and teach PN a painful lesson for betraying Penang’s right to exist within Malaysia.
Furthermore, Lim Guan Eng refuted Muhammad Sanusi’s assertion that Penang has been making annual ex-gratia or lease payments to Kedah. He clarified that Penang has never made any such payments to Kedah, labeling the claim as dishonest and false.
The DAP Chairman urged the people of Penang to stand united in defense of their state’s integrity and resist attempts to undermine its rightful place within the Malaysian federation. He emphasized the need to uphold the principles of justice and protect the fundamental rights and civil liberties of all Malaysians against racial bigotry and extremism.
