KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today took a swipe at Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over the latter's claim that Penang is under the ownership of Kedah.
Anwar said Sanusi, as the Kedah Menteri Besar, should be responsible when sharing his opinions and issue statements based on the provisions outlined by the laws of the country as well as the Federal Constitution.
"He should understand the (Federal) Constitution and the agreement (on the formation of the federation), which is clear.
"If you want to resort to playing politics, that is another matter," he told reporters after attending the launching of the Fikrah Siddiq Fadzil: Citra Budaya Dan Peradaban Bangsa Malaysia here today.
Anwar also told the Pas election director to respect the agreement on the formation of Malaysia as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"I can comment on this issue since my statement is based on the verification by the Attorney-General over the matter.
"Please respect the agreement in the (Federal) Constitution, which is consented by the Malay Rulers including the Sultan of Kedah," he said.
Sanusi recently was quoted by a Malay daily as claiming that Penang is under the ownership of Kedah.
Perak and Perlis, he added, were the only two states to have a border with Kedah.
This was not the first time Sanusi had courted controversy by staking Kedah's claim over Penang.
Back in 2021, Sanusi and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow engaged in a public spat when the former demanded for RM100 million a year as "lease payment" for Penang island and Seberang Prai.
Sanusi had said that based on history, Penang was a state "leased" from Kedah.
His claims however were refuted by Chow.
"We will not pay anything to Kedah. The federal government also need not entertain the state's demands, which is over and above what has been agreed upon previously," Chow had previously said.