Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said it was not to extend authority over the state but to help the Malays.

“We know what is happening in Penang. They (the state government) do not care about the Malays,” he told reporters after the Federal Territory ‘Khatam Al-Quran 2017’ programme here, today.

He said if the matter can be realised, the federal government would ensure that the development in the state was enjoyed by all and not by only one race.

“We will administer (the state) at the federal level just like in Labuan where we have invested over RM5 billion since the date of takeover.

“I wonder why the DAP is jumping over this issue. Maybe they are not administering Penang well,” he added.

Tengku Adnan said making Penang a federal territory was just an idea at this stage and it required a proposal, referendum and approval at the national level first before it could be implemented.

The idea can be applied to Langkawi (Kedah), Tioman (Pahang) and parts of Malacca, he said.