Ahmad Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) said Sanusi was not questioning the sovereignty of Penang but was merely demanding for the rights of the people of Kedah.

He said Sanusi was demanding for a lease that was fair and it should be the federal government who should bear the cost, not the Penang state government.

“The Kedah menteri besar did not intend to insult the governor of Penang.

“We support his demand (for the payment) as it is for the state and the people of Kedah,” he said while debating Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat saw a heated exchange between Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) and several MPs from Kedah when he criticised Sanusi for questioning Penang’s legitimacy and allegedly fuelling “extremist” sentiments.

Lim, the former Penang chief minister, called on Sanusi to withdraw his statement that he said offended the 1.7 million people in Penang by disputing their state’s sovereignty.

He referred to a speech Sanusi reportedly made at a recent youth event in Alor Setar, in which the menteri besar said he doubted Penang’s sovereignty as the state was “leased from Kedah”.

Ahmad also said that the sovereignty of Penang rests under Kedah.

“I’m not sure Bagan (Lim) has seen writings from a historical or legal perspective about Penang’s position with Kedah.

“According to the agreement in 1791 or 1899, the sovereignty of Penang is actually under Kedah. If Bagan wants to fight for the sovereignty of Penang, then Kedah is the sovereign of Penang,” he said.

“Sanusi may be strict, but the people of Penang are still enjoying their water supply and this has not been affected until today.”