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Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has reiterated that the state is fully prepared to face Kedah in court over claims that Penang rightfully belongs to the neighbouring state.
“See you in court,” Chow said during a press conference at Komtar, repeating the same response he had given three years ago when the issue first resurfaced.
The renewed tension follows Kedah’s announcement that it is finalising the appointment of a legal team to initiate court proceedings to “clarify” the historical relationship between Kedah and Penang. Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the move was prompted by a call from Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah in 2023 for the matter to be transparently reviewed, particularly the question of whether Penang had been “leased” to the British.
Debate over the issue spilled into the Dewan Rakyat today, where government backbencher Ramkarpal Singh (PH–Bukit Gelugor) stressed that the Federal Constitution overrides any historical claims suggesting Penang belongs to Kedah.
“The Constitution clearly provides for all states in Malaysia, including Penang. It also recognises Penang as a sovereign state in its own right,” he said, countering claims raised by Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN–Sik), who insisted that Penang’s history should be revisited.
Tarmizi argued that Francis Light’s acquisition of Penang in 1786 was “unlawful” because the agreement did not involve the British government, and therefore Light had “illegally occupied” the island without proper authorisation from the Kedah sultanate.
In response, RSN Rayer (PH–Jelutong) cited Articles 4(1) and 4(2) of the Federal Constitution, declaring that Penang’s sovereignty as a Malaysian state was settled and could not be contested.
“It cannot be claimed by anyone, including Kedah,” he said.
Kedah’s claim is not new. In 2021, the state demanded RM100 million annually from the federal government as a “lease payment” for Penang island and Seberang Perai. Penang, however, maintains that the territories were effectively ceded after Malaysia achieved independence.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has previously described attempts to assert ownership over Penang as seditious, and continues to insist that any such disputes should be resolved through the courts.
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