Penang state executive councilor Wong Hon Wai has reaffirmed that his state's sovereignty is legally established under Article 1(2) of Malaysia's 1957 Federal Constitution, which grants Penang equal standing with all other states in the federation. Wong, who chairs the tourism and creative economy committee, stated that after Kedah Chief Minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced plans to assemble a legal team for potential action regarding Penang's historical ties to Kedah.
Wong criticized Sanusi for reviving a dispute spanning more than two centuries, urging the Kedah leader to concentrate on economic development and investment attraction instead of pursuing unproductive legal debates. The controversy stems from a 2021 demand by Kedah for RM100 million in annual lease payments from the federal government on behalf of Penang, a significant increase from the previous RM10,000 yearly payment that was raised to RM10 million in 2018.
Wong criticized Sanusi for reviving a dispute spanning more than two centuries, urging the Kedah leader to concentrate on economic development and investment attraction instead of pursuing unproductive legal debates. The controversy stems from a 2021 demand by Kedah for RM100 million in annual lease payments from the federal government on behalf of Penang, a significant increase from the previous RM10,000 yearly payment that was raised to RM10 million in 2018.
