Kedah Umno chairman Mahdzir Khalid said the DAP MP’s suggestion showed a lack of respect for the state ruler, who reigns over the state’s territories and its people as a whole.

“She should be more mindful and sensitive in the matters she discusses, regardless of the platform, even within the Dewan Rakyat where she enjoys parliamentary immunity,” he said in a statement.

He said Kok should issue a public apology for hurting the feelings of the people of Kedah, and that the issue of developing Langkawi could be addressed in many other ways that do not require placing it under the federal administration.

“Langkawi already has a federal agency responsible for its development, namely the Langkawi Development Authority, which simply needs to have its role strengthened to fully realise the island’s potential.

“There is no need for Langkawi to be completely taken over by the federal government,” Mahdzir said.

Utusan Malaysia yesterday reported that Kok had criticised the Kedah state government, accusing it of failing to develop Langkawi.

She told the Dewan Rakyat that Langkawi, which is rich in tourism potential, could be better developed if managed by the federal government, and proposed that the island be administered as a federal territory or an international zone.