Lim, the former Penang chief minister, called on Sanusi to withdraw his statement that he said offended the 1.7 million Penangites by disputing their state’s sovereignty.
He referred to a speech Sanusi reportedly made at a recent youth event in Alor Setar, in which the menteri besar said he doubted Penang’s sovereignty as the state was “leased from Kedah”.
“The inflammatory speech has ignited extremist sentiments as it also indirectly questions the Federal Constitution, which underlines the power and sovereignty of Penang as mentioned under Article 1(2),” Lim told the Dewan Rakyat.
“He (Sanusi) should seek advice from legal experts before opening his mouth to attack Penang’s sovereignty. Indirectly, he is disputing the authority of the state governor, who was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“I ask him to withdraw his claim.”
Lim’s statement drew a reaction from several Perikatan Nasional MPs from Kedah, who claimed that he was trying to mislead the House.
Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) questioned whether the government was still paying a lease to the Kedah government from an agreement signed in 1869.
He was supported by Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu), who said Penang was paying a certain amount to lease the state from Kedah.
Lim denied this, stating that the payment was made by the federal government.
Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) said Sanusi had never questioned Penang’s sovereignty. “He was just asking for the lease payment to be increased,” he said.
Deputy Rakyat Speaker Alica Yau interjected and asked the opposition MPs to stop interrupting Lim while he was debating.
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