Sanusi Kedah S Claim Over Penang Goes Beyond Hong Kong China Special Territory Proposal

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The Kedah government has broader plans regarding its claim over Penang, beyond a suggested proposal to designate the state as a special territory similar to Hong Kong’s status with China. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, however, said the state government was unable to publicly disclose its next steps as doing so could undermine the careful groundwork being carried out by an appointed team of researchers and lawyers.- FILE PICALOR STAR: The Kedah government has broader plans regarding its claim over Penang, beyond a suggested proposal to designate the state as a special territory similar to Hong Kong's status with China.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, however, said the state government was unable to publicly disclose its next steps as doing so could undermine the careful groundwork being carried out by an appointed team of researchers and lawyers.
"Our research team and lawyers have not yet presented to the state executive council what form of legal relief is most appropriate to pursue in court.
"Our intentions go beyond that (the proposal to make Penang a special territory under Kedah).
"I cannot elaborate further because there will always be responses from the other side," he told reporters here today.
Earlier today, Penang state executive council member Wong Hon Wai described the suggestion as "shocking and disappointing," warning that it challenges the foundational structure of Malaysia's formation and the Federal Constitution.
He said the relationship between Penang and Kedah was clearly defined in Article 1(2) of the 1957 Federal Constitution, under which both states, along with other states, form the Malaysian Federation.
"The proposal fails to respect the Federal Constitution, which is the cornerstone of Malaysian nationhood," he said.
The media had reported that International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) director Prof Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican had suggested that Penang be made a special territory of Kedah, modelled after Hong Kong as a special administrative region under China.
Speaking at a forum, Murad proposed that Penang retain its existing institutional, economic and political structures, but be placed under Kedah's administration as a special territory.
Sanusi said any claim to be filed against Penang in court would be based strictly on legal provisions, and told all parties to wait until the process is formally initiated.
"I cannot comment further at this stage because there will always be reactions if we reveal what we intend to do.
"If we reveal everything prematurely, we may later find ourselves without the appropriate legal ammunition," he said.
Previously, Sanusi said Kedah was in the final stage of appointing a legal team to commence legal action concerning issues related to the state's position and historical relationship with Penang. - NST

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