Challenge to Penang’s sovereignty baseless


THE Kedah menteri besar’s claim Penang belongs to Kedah is clearly uncalled-for.

The unnecessary remark touches on the legality of our Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s as the head of Islam, and Penang’s sovereignty.

As far as history is concerned, Penang was once part of the Kedah sultanate. However, Kedah ceded Penang Island to the British East India Company, and a treaty between Sultan Abdullah and Francis Light was signed in the year 1786, in exchange for military assistance. As such, an honorarium was paid to Kedah as agreed in the treaty.

In the year 1800, Sir George Leith and the Kedah sultan once again signed a treaty known as the Kedah British Friendship and Alliance Treaty. An increased honorarium was given to the Kedah ruler.

Over time, Kedah was known as a state on its own, and became an Unfederated Malay State, and Penang, along with Malacca and Singapore, became part of the Straits Settlement.

The factual truth is that Penang and Seberang Perai went under separate governance since it ceded to the British East India Company.

When the Federation of Malaya gained its independence in 1957,  and the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 became binding to all Malaysians, Kedah and Penang were known as states of their own.

Both states have retained their respective identities upon the formation of the Federation. There is no confusion or dispute in that.

Article 1(2) in the Federal Constitution states  “The States of the Federation shall be Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu”.

Article 3(3) states that the constitution of the states of Malacca, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak shall each make provision for conferring on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be head of the religion of Islam in that State.

As penned by Hafiz Hassan in his article, the author mentioned that article 71(1) of the Federal Constitution, read with the eighth schedule, enunciates that each state is vested by its own State Constitution, and this includes Penang.

Hence, it is baseless to challenge the sovereignty of Penang. It is clearly solidified in our Federal Constitution that Kedah and Penang are two sovereign states and a part of Malaysia.

We should mindful that such remarks will cause public dissatisfaction. – June 2, 2023.

* Matilda George reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.



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Comments


  • Is he incapable of developing and increase income for Kedah therefore resort to extortion? Look, he demanded compensation for .....

    1) Muda River water
    2) Penang State
    3) Kedah's forests and padi fields
    4) etc

    That's what wrong with Malaysia and it's voters. Electing crooks, thugs and fools into power.

    Posted 9 months ago by Malaysian First · Reply