Sanusi's statement is offensive to the people of Penang - Guan Eng

GEORGETOWN - Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's statement regarding Penang belonging to Kedah is heartbreaking and insulting to the people of Penang.

DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng said, the Jeneri's assemblyman statement also challenged the sovereignty of Penang, undermined national unity and disrespected the Federal Constitution.

According to him, Muhammad Sanusi was also accused of being willing to incite public sentiment for the sake of the upcoming state election

"He is not a figure who loves peace and harmony in this country and is a leader who is very dangerous to the country.

"I hope that the people of Penang can clearly see the true face of Perikatan Nasional. This is an act to prevent the people from focusing on the failure of state leaders especially the water issue.

"I also believe that the people of Penang are sharp and smart and will definitely protect Penang from the power greed of PN leaders," he said in a statement on his Facebook on Tuesday.

Guan Eng who is also Bagan MP added that Muhammad Sanusi's statement could also affect the unity of the country in addition to being a gross violation of the Federal Constitution.

"Jalur Gemilang has 14 star points and 14 stripes representing the 13 states (including Penang) and the Federal Territory.

The National Coat of Arms of Malaysia has an image of a betel nut tree and the Penang Bridge representing the state of Penang.

"The Federal Constitution gives legitimacy to Penang's position as one of the 13 states that make up the Federation of Malaysia. Besides that, Penang and Kedah have gazetted a state enactment that places the state border at the 'central line' of Sungai Muda in 1985.

"This enactment states that part of Sungai Muda is owned by Penang, so Penang has the right to draw water from Sungai Muda. Apart from that, there is a boundary marker stone in Pinang Tunggal which divides the area between Kedah and Penang," he added.

Guan Eng also claimed that Sanusi was deliberately indifferent and did not want to hear all the facts.

"As Kedah Menteri Besar, he doesn't want to see, doesn't want to hear and doesn't care. In a conscious state, he made a statement that 'Penang Island is still Kedah's 'right'

"With such a stance, why does Pas still want to compete in Penang and how can Pas represent the people of Penang?

"We also want to know whether Pas assemblymen in Penang and PN allies (Bersatu and Gerakan) will stand up to defend the sovereignty of Penang and the rights of the people of Penang, oppose Sanusi's statement and ask him to apologise to the people of Penang?" he said.

On Monday, Muhammad Sanusi insisted that Penang belongs to the state as Kedah only has a state border with Perak and Perlis.

Muhammad Sanusi also claimed that his party did not need to take back the state because Penang never 'got away' from Kedah.