GEORGE TOWN, Nov 12 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today challenged Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor proceed with the latter’s latest attempt to claim Penang belongs to Kedah and should pay substantially higher lease fees.
The Padang Kota assemblyman pointed out that Sanusi had already attempted the same three years ago.
“So, my reply is the same as three years ago: See you in court,” he said in a press conference at his office in Komtar today.
He said that despite the repeated claims by Sanusi over these three years that Penang belonged to Kedah and was on a “lease”, the state government has never received any legal documents or a petition from Kedah.
On Monday, Sanusi reportedly said Kedah was in the process of appointing a legal team to start legal action over Kedah’s relationship with Penang.
He claimed that actions taken will be based on historical facts and legal grounds.
Chow said the state legal adviser is always available to provide legal advice on these issues.
“If there is any legal notice from Kedah, the first thing we will do is seek the advice of the state legal adviser,” he said.
He said the state legal team will decide if there is any need to engage any further legal counsel.
Sanusi has made such claims numerous times over the years, along with demands that Penang pay higher compensation to Kedah for the lease of the island and Seberang Perai.
Penang currently pays an annual honorarium of RM10 million to Kedah, and Sanusi had demanded RM100 million.
He had also repeatedly demanded that Penang pay Kedah for extracting water from the Muda River that flows from Kedah down to Seberang Perai.
