No News Is Bad News
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2, 2023: Why do Taliban-like-PAS-led states still lag in socio-economic growth and development after Merdeka (Independence) in 1958?
For the answer, look no further than the current Kedah Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the epitome of an irrational politician who ignores his state’s need to develop.
Instead, he only plays politics, focusing on all matters of religion and race, to whip up sentiments to disunite Malaysians to win the hearts of Malays or Muslims.
Penang is the only state in Malaysia led by a Chinese Chief Minister.
While Kedah is the second poorest state in Malaysia in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021, Penang is the top GDP performer.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid is spot on when she advised Muhammad Sanusi to stop immature politics and focus on developing Kedah.
No News Is Bad News adds that the MB was not only dwelling in immature politics but actually playing racial politics, Penang being a state led by a Malaysian Chinese chief minister.
Like what many other leaders have said, it makes no sense for Muhammad Sanusi to question Penang’s position within the Federation of Malaysia since 1958.
Also, is Muhammad Sanusi speaking as a Malaysian or Kedah as another country when it is part of Malaysia?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a few articles on the issue:
MALAYSIA
Stop immature politics, focus on Kedah, Syerleena blasts Sanusi
Bukit Bendera MP reminds MB he also studied in Penang which recorded top GDP performance
DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid has called out Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for using ‘immature’ politics ahead of the upcoming state elections. – @syerleena.abdrashid Instagram pic, June 2, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Instead of playing “immature” politics, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should focus on administration, seeing his state is second poorest in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, said a Penang lawmaker.
DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid has slammed the Kedah PAS leader, saying that stirring allegations over Penang’s sovereignty was an attempt to divert attention from his failure in governing his state.
“He also intends to divert attention from his failures as menteri besar, including the water issues in Kedah and deforestation leading to floods and changes in Yan’s geography.
“The lack of short-term and medium-term solutions to the water issue, particularly in the Kuala Kedah area, is said to be evidence of the state government’s failure under Sanusi’s leadership,” said the Seri Delima assemblywoman in a statement today.
She added that Penang’s position within the Federation of Malaysia is clear and “immature political polemics should not occur” ahead of the state elections in six states.
“There are other issues that reflect his leadership failures, including the issue of rare earth element (REE) mining not receiving approval from the relevant authorities, as well as issues in agriculture, youth racing tracks, and new stadiums.
“Looking at Kedah’s GDP performance in 2021, the state recorded only 3.2%. For the record, Penang achieved the highest GDP performance at 6.8%, followed by Selangor (5.0%), Terengganu (3.6%), and Perak (3.5%).
“Sanusi should not forget that he is also a ‘product’ of Penang, having studied at USM Penang. Additionally, he has previously worked as an education officer for Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP).”
Sanusi has been reiterating that Penang belongs to Kedah and that the federal constitution needs to be amended to accommodate findings made by historians and experts in Kedah.
He added that Penang belongs to the Kedah sultanate and those who founded the island state, as well as the claim that those who later went on to colonise it for almost 200 years did it by way of deceit.
Several leaders have condemned Sanusi for his remarks, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who said all leaders need to respect the constitutional agreement that has been consented to by all Malay rulers, including the Kedah sultan.
“Sometimes, when a leader speaks, he has to understand the constitution and what is an agreement.
“The agreement may have been signed 300, 1000 years ago, (but) there is the final agreement of establishing the Federation of Malaya and that is clear.
“To say things in terms of political drama is another matter but as menteri besar, I think it is only appropriate to be bound by legislation.” – The Vibes, June 2, 2023
Zahid: Only people who are 'ignorant of history' say Penang belongs to Kedah
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
7:50 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Only someone lacking in knowledge, or "daif ilmu", will insist that Penang belongs to Kedah, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister said this in response to the latest comments from Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Ahmad Zahid added that those not ignorant of history would know that Malaysia’s current form was based on agreements in the past and the findings of the Cobbold Commission.
"It is not just the Federal Constitution and the nation’s laws that have to be looked at but also agreements crafted by the British colonial authority of the past," Ahmad Zahid told reporters at the Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka here on Wednesday (May 31).
Although Malaysians gained independence from Britain, these agreements were used to form the Federation of Malaya, Ahmad Zahid said.
"This has to be understood, only those who are ignorant of history will bring this issue up."
Muhammad Sanusi had on May 29 repeated his assertion that Penang belonged to Kedah when talking about the state’s latest borders, saying it only had boundaries with Perlis and Perak. - The Star
https://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com/history-penang-island-malaysia.htm
Early history of Penang
Before Penang got its own government, the island was part of the state of Kedah. Kedah was an important Indian centre of influence and trade. In ancient texts Kedah is mentioned as the area which had the first Malaysian establishments. Kedah would also have an important role in the history of Malaysia. The Indian merchants already came to the Peninsular Malaysia before the 1st century. The main reason being to collect merchandise such as herbs, spices and gold. The Indians brought their own religion and culture with them; this is how Buddhism and Hinduism were introduced to Penang. Around the 9th century Muslim merchants from India and the Middle East set foot ashore Penang and the rest of the Malaysian peninsula. They were also mainly there for the trade to Southeast Asia. Unlike the Indians (Buddhists and Hinduists) and Chinese, the Muslims spent a lot of time in spreading the Islamic religion. The Islam spread quickly in this region.
Penang was discovered by Chinese merchants in the 15th century; it was then when the island was first charted. This was later changed to Penang, which in Malaysia's native language means areca nut. Under the command of admiral Cheng Ho China became an important trading partner in Penang. Ping-Lang-Seu is the name he gave the island. The Chinese were especially interested in goods and materials. In exchange the Chinese brought their own goods and techniques to Penang and the rest of the Malaysian peninsula.
Around the 14th century dribs and drabs of European merchants set foot on Penang. The first ones were Portuguese. By keeping the maps secret the Portuguese had a monopoly in Southeast Asia. It was not till 1595 that the Dutch (VOC) arrived in Southeast Asia, not long after that the English arrived. The Englishman Francis Light convinced the Sultan of Kedah to handover Penang to the British East-India Company. Francis Light founded - not long after an English board was introduced - Georgetown, after the English king George IV. According to old documents Light used the following solution to making Penang accessible (a dense jungle at the time). To motivate laborers he fired a cannon filled with silver coins into the jungle. The jungle was cleared in a short period of time, making the construction of Georgetown possible. Before the 20th century merchants mostly came to Penang for the merchandise, this is why the island is known as 'Pearl of the Orient'.
Historical overview
· 4th - 7th century: The Kingdom of Bujang Valley (Hindustan/Buddhist) rules the Northwest part of Peninsular Malaysia.
· 7th - 8th century: Sumatran kingdom of Srivijaya rules Kedah.
· From the 14th century: Portuguese traders set foot on the island of Penang.
· In the 15th century the Chinese explore the Andaman Sea including Penang Island.
· Penang was ceded to the British East India Company in 1786 by the Sultan of Kedah, in exchange for military protection from Siamese and Burmese armies who were threatening Kedah. Sir Francis Light founded Georgetown. This was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia.
· In 1805, Penang's colonial status was elevated to that of a Residency.
· 1816: 'Penang Free School'; First school in Malaysia.
· 1821: Kedah is part of the Thai empire.
· 1824: The English and the Dutch divide parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. The Dutch take over Indonesia, the English Malaysia.
· In 1826, Penang, along with Malacca and Singapore, became part of the Straits Settlements under the British administration in India.
· From 1840: Discovery of huge supplies of tin in the state of Perak. As a result Penang evolves into an important trade centre.
· 1896: 'Federated Malay States', Kuala Lumpur is the main capital.
· 1905: Penang has electricity.
· From 1910: Rubber becomes the most important export product; Penang again is the main commercial trade centre.
· 1941: Penang is heavily bombed by the Japanese invaders. Soon after this the English gave up Penang.
· 1945: Japan surrenders and is chased away from Malaysia. Soon after the 2nd World War is ended; as a result the English came back to Penang; however; their position would never be that strong again.
· 1957: Tunku Abdul Rahman becomes the first Prime Minister of independent Malaya.
· After negotiations in July 1963, it was agreed that Malaysia would come into existence on 31 August 1963, consisting of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
· 1985: Penang Bridge is opened for public; it is the fifth longest bridge of the World (13,5km).
· 2004: December: Tsunami hits Southeast Asia. Massive damage on the islands of Langkawi and Penang. Unfortunately there are casualties.
· 2004: Penang was recognized as having the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine.
· 2005: Penang gets 'Cybercity' status.
· 2006: Cab drivers are obliged to drive with their taximeter on (nobody accepts this change in rules).
· 2006: August: Government of Penang approves plan to build a monorail transit system between Tanjung Tokong and Bayan Lepas (however, there is no monorail up to this day).
· 2008: Penang was formally inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside with Malacca.
· 2008: Government cancels building of monorail; all activities are stopped instantly.
· 2008: Over 1.6 million people inhabit the island of Penang.
· 2008: Penang 2nd bridge is being build to release traffic congestion between the island and the mainland. Work should finish in 2014.
· 2009: Penangite Lee Chong Wei currently ranks as No.1 badminton player in the world.
· 2009: Penang attracted 5.96 million tourists, ranking third in tourist arrivals in Malaysia.
· 2010: Penang had the highest total of capital investments in the country. The state attracted RM12.2 billion worth of investments.
· 2010: Penang is emerging as a popular location for medical tourism. 250,000 foreign patients were treated that year.
· 2011: Penang Hill funicular is open again for public after a long system upgrade.
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