THE people of Penang must reject Perikatan Nasional in the state elections as a vote for the coalition is a vote to extinguish the state, former chief minister Lim Guan Eng said.

The Bagan MP said Penang folk must turn out in force at the polls to vote for good governance, a better life and the sovereignty of the state. 

Lim said Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor must be exposed as “a subversive element seeking to undermine the Federal Constitution as well as a clear and present danger to peace, harmony and unity of Malaysians”.

On June 25, Malay daily Harian Metro quoted as Sanusi telling his supporters to claim Penang like Muhammad al-Fateh did Constantinople during the time of the Byzantine Empire. Sanusi made the speech at the Kedah assembly urging Penang to be reclaimed to “restore Kedah’s glory”.

“Sanusi’s use of war-like imagery or violent or threatening metaphors, in his mindless pursuit to ‘return’ Penang to Kedah, exposes his readiness to risk divisiveness and create enmity among Malaysians, particularly 1.8 million Penangites,” Lim said today.

“While no one questions the fact that Penang was once part of Kedah, historians and constitutional experts have affirmed that the Conference of Rulers, including the Kedah sultan, and the Federal Constitution have validated and verified Penang as a sovereign state in Malaysia.

“Sanusi has even made the inflammatory, illegal and seditious suggestion to amend the Federal Constitution to extinguish Penang.

“While we await the outcome of police investigations into Sanusi for such irresponsible remarks, 1.8 million Penangites must send a loud and clear message to support the unity government  and vote against PN to preserve our lifestyle and protect the sovereignty of Penang.” – June 30, 2023.