'Defending historical narrative of Penang-Kedah not a crime' – Pas

ALOR SETAR - Kedah Pas claims the action of defending the narrative of Kedah owning Penang is not a criminal act and there is no merit to applying it as a form of sedition under the Sedition Act.

Kedah Pas Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yahaya claimed Kedah owning Penang was a historical fact that could not be distorted even though it has strong research support and he expressed his full support towards the statement released by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not continuously politicise this issue and claim the criticism and pressure against Kedah were due to Pakatan Harapan's (PH) major defeat in the 15th general election.

"The Kedah state government has repeatedly demanded the Penang lease rights, the resolution of the raw water charge issue as well as the approval of the Kedah Aerotropolis project.

"Unfortunately, it was all deliberately kept quiet and delayed as it is not appropriate for the prime minister to be offended by the Penang ownership issue today," the Pokok Sena MP said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ahmad explained Kedah Pas held the stance that this issue should not be equal to the Sulu Sultanate's claim over Sabah or Thailand's relationship with Kedah.

He added the Penang and Kedah ownership issue brought up today did not involve the sovereignty of the nation's borders.

"Kedah Pas is confident that debating historical facts is not a criminal offence. In fact, there's indeed an attempt to have a character assassination of an individual named Sanusi.

"They are more interested in toppling the Kedah MB compared to debating history," he claimed.

Sinar on Tuesday reported Anwar had handed the issue over to the Attorney-General to decide on what appropriate actions to be taken towards Sanusi's statement claiming Kedah owns Penang.

Anwar said the statement was irresponsible and the police have started investigations based on existing legal provisions.