He reiterated his earlier demands for RM100 million a year for the “lease” of Penang and another RM50 million for water drawn from Sungai Muda.

Sanusi told the state assembly he would not stop asking for the sums and was not bothered if Penang was upset with Kedah’s demands, believing that it would eventually pay up.

What he was demanding from Penang and the federal government, he said, were not for him but for the betterment of Kedah.

“It is not that I like to fight, but I will fight for my rights if the need arises. I am brave. I will work hard and throw punches.

“But I doubt it would go to that extent (of punching). I don’t mind the ‘gomoi’ (Sik district dialect for wrestling),” he said to laughter from the assemblymen.

He said he expected the media to “go big” on his punching remark, but explained that it was merely a Kedah slang word and not to be taken literally.

Penang has maintained that it is a sovereign state under the Malaysian federation and not on lease from Kedah.

It also said it was drawing water from its side of Sungai Muda and would not pay for it.

Putrajaya is currently paying a RM10 million honorarium yearly in respect of an agreement struck by the founder of modern Penang, Francis Light, and the Kedah sultan in the early 19th century for the lease of the island.

Later agreements showed the sultan had ceded the territory to the British.

Meanwhile, Sanusi also revealed that the Kedah sultan had a hand in increasing the RM10,000 payment prior to 2018.

He said the sultan had met then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to demand “when Penang is going to be returned to Kedah”.

Sanusi said Mahathir kept mum but later decided to pay the RM10 million sum.

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