GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has firmly rejected Kedah’s repeated claims that Penang owes any form of rent, compensation or payment to the northern state, stressing that the island state’s status within Malaysia is undisputed under the Federal Constitution.
In his winding up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting here today, Chow said historical financial obligations arising from the 1869 agreement between the British and Kedah were now the responsibility of the federal government, not the Penang state administration.
“Penang is a sovereign state within the federation.
“Any historical financial commitments involving Kedah are matters for the federal government, not Penang,” he told lawmakers in the august house.
Chow pointed out that Penang’s boundaries were formally established through the Kedah and Penang (Boundary Modification) Act 1985, leaving no room for territorial disputes.
Chow warned against ‘narratives, provocations or hate messages’ from irresponsible parties, saying they threaten public harmony.
“The state government will continue to respect the position of the Federal Constitution and ensure that inter-state relations are preserved in accordance with the rule of law,” he added.
Recently, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said Kedah was assembling a legal team to bring the case involving the state’s relationship with Penang to court.
Sanusi had said the move came after Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah called for the matter to be resolved transparently.
In 2021, the Kedah government demanded RM100 million from the federal government for the “lease” of Penang island and Seberang Perai, arguing that the amount had not been reassessed since 1786.
Chow had said then that he was prepared to meet Sanusi in court.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
