HISTORICAL narratives are nothing more than arguments that seek to understand the past, the present and what the future holds.

Malaya became a sovereign nation with the amalgamation of 11 states and two straits settlement territories in 1957.

In 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was formed with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore left the federation in 1965.

The question of one state having historical claims over the others have been rendered obsolete.

The independence of the country in 1957 meant that despite territorial encroachments against one other in the past, the present state boundaries are accepted as definitive and sacrosanct across all states in Peninsular Malaysia

States cannot and have no basis to make claims on territories based on historical considerations.

Before coming under the British colonial control, Penang could have been part of Kedah and in the same token, the latter was part of the Thai territory. However, all these historical narratives of the past have been rendered obsolete due to the passage of time and with new political developments.

It is therefore quite absurd for Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to say that Penang is part of Kedah. Similarly, we can also say that Kedah was part of Thailand.

Such kind of narratives and counter narratives don’t led us anywhere except to create animosities and antagonisms.

Election gimmick

Since the state elections are around the corner, Sanusi by raising the issue of Kedah’s claim over Penang is basically engaging in a political campaign of the worst kind.

It is not that Sanusi is not aware of his preposterous claim over Penang, he is just irritating the popular government in Penang. Raising such kind of a politically sensitive issue allows Sanusi to divert attention from the lack of development, safeguarding the natural resources and the lack of development in the state.

Kedah despite sharing borders with Penang is considered not a developed state. Sanusi knows very well that without Penang, hundreds and thousands of Kedahans would be deprived of employment.

Hundreds and thousands of Kedahans commute daily to work in the sprawling industrial and manufacturing sectors in Penang.

In other words, despite the cheap political stunt, Sanusi cannot accept the fact that Penang is a developed state with nearly full employment and more so that the state is regarded as the Pearl of the East.

In fact, Sanusi started quarrelling with Penang over the sharing of water resources as 80% of the water for consumption in Penang comes from Sungai Muda.

He has been unsuccessfully claiming unreasonable compensation from Penang for the intake of raw water from the Sungai Muda with its sources in the hills of Ulu Muda.

If history is the basis of claims of countries and states within, then there no stopping from India claiming Pakistan, Bangladesh and other independent countries that once constituted the Indian sub-continent long before the colonial days.

Sheer jealousy

The same thing can be said about other nations making historical claims on lost territories that have become independent over the years.

I am not sure whether what was uttered by Sanusi is seditious or not but the Attorney-General (AG) has been tasked to investigate and if possible, take the appropriate action against Sanusi.

Sanusi as the top state leader in Kedah has so many things on his plate. Apart from raising sensitive or even nonsensical issues that have no bearing on the social and economic welfare, he has no developmental vision for the people in his state.

There is fear in him that when Kedahans start comparing Kedah with Penang and why the latter is far behind the former, there might be trouble not just for Sanusi but the PAS government in the state.

Antagonism - religious or otherwise - cannot shut the eyes and ears of the people in Kedah.

If PAS has such a super administration in Kelantan and Terengganu, why hundreds and thousands of youngsters are seeking greener pastures in urban areas in other states including Singapore?

By attacking Penang and by making absurd and nonsensical claims on Penang, Sanusi has proved beyond doubt that he is an ineffective, incompetent and irresponsible leader.

As they say, a candle burns bright for a few seconds before it is extinguished. Similarly, such a metaphor is applicable to Sanusi. He has nothing to offer to Kedah but his vitriolic against Penang might signal his final days in office. - June 7, 2023

Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/kedahs-claim-of-penang-is-rooted-in-envy-and-fear-of-being-left-out-in-economic-pursuit/