JELUTONG MP RSN Rayer has lodged a police report against Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor over the latter’s claim that Penang belongs to Kedah.
According to Rayer, it was “extreme” for Sanusi to dispute the sovereignty of the state of Penang, which was established and recognised in the Federal Constitution as one of the 13 states in Malaysia.
“He not only questioned the validity of the Federal Constitution but also the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who appointed the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.
“As a Mentri Besar, he should be responsible and gather opinions from legal experts and not simply make statements as this may cause public disorder among Penangites,” Rayer was reported as saying by The Star after lodging his report at Jalan Patani police station in Georgetown, Penang this morning (June 1).
Rayer was accompanied by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, and several other DAP leaders.
According to Lim, the intent of the report was to protect and defend Penang’s sovereignty.
“Rayer has lodged a police report, and as a lawyer, he knows that Sanusi’s remark is a very dangerous incitement, which is also unconstitutional,” Lim told reporters who gathered outside the police station.
“We all know that Penang is a sovereign state, which has its own chief minister, and assemblypersons, with an administration system empowered by the Federal Constitution.”
The former finance minister questioned why the subject of Penang’s sovereignty is being raised now, noting that the nation’s coat of arms (Jata Negara) and flag stripes even featured the state.
“This is Sanusi’s third year as the Kedah Menteri Besar. During the first two years, when he helmed the state under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, there was no such issue.
“Now, as the state election approaches, he is deliberately raising this sensitive issue that can cause tension among the rakyat, especially Penang folks,” Lim said.
Lim further added that people like Sanusi are dangerous and that if left unaddressed, he might cause division among the people of the country. The DAP chairperson also accused Sanusi of repeating his assertion about Penang to gain political advantages ahead of the state elections.
Sanusi was reported to have said that Penang belonged to Kedah, and that Kedah only shared its state borders with Perak and Perlis.
His remarks drew the ire of several prominent leaders in the country such as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minster Chow Kon Yeow, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Deputy Law Minster Ramkarpal Singh. – June 1, 2023
Main pic credit: DAP Pulau Pinang
