KUALA LUMPUR: Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has challenged Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to take legal action against him over the issue of Penang's sovereignty.
Lim said that he had a video clip showing that the Kedah Mentri Besar had questioned the sovereignty of Penang.
"This is black and white, you cannot run from that, I have even said it openly.
"If he dares, and thinks that I am not telling the truth, please sue me," said Lim while debating the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today (Feb 27).
Earlier, a heated discussion erupted in the Dewan Rakyat when Lim raised the issue of Penang's sovereignty and accused the Kedah Mentri Besar of offending Penangites for questioning the state's sovereignty.
"The inflammatory speech has ignited extremist sentiments as it also indirectly questioned the Federal Constitution that underlines the power and sovereignty of Penang as mentioned under Article 1(2)," said Lim.
His remarks had caused several Perikatan Nasional MPs from Kedah to stand up and defend the Kedah Mentri Besar.
Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) interjected, asking if Penang was still paying any lease to Kedah.
Lim replied that Penang was not paying such payments but it was paid by the Federal Government, and asked MPs to stick to the current issue.
"Why is he (Kedah MB) questioning the sovereignty of Penang," Lim asked.
Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) denied Lim's allegation, saying that the Kedah Mentri Besar had never questioned the sovereignty of Penang.
"He was just asking for the lease payment (by Penang to Kedah) to be increased," he said.
Awang then stood up again to defend the Mentri Besar and shouted that "we are not questioning the sovereignty of Penang”.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alica Yau then asked the Opposition to sit down and not to interrupt Lim while he was debating.
"They (Perikatan) can try to take over Penang but the people of Penang know who are defending their rights," said Lim.
To this, Ahmad Tarmizi said that Penang would be taken over by Perikatan.
On a separate matter, Lim also appealed to the Prime Minister to give the original allocation provided under former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration’s to all government MPs.
"The cut of about 70% in allocation will affect an effective service delivery to all the voters.
"There is doubt that these expenses are used on the people in line with the government's policy and if there is any evidence of wrongdoings, strict action can be taken by the authorities," he said.
Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrjaya) then reminded Lim of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto in the last general election that it would give equal allocations to all MPs including the Opposition.
Lim said that he would uphold all the promises made under the Pakatan manifesto but explained that some policies might take time to be implemented.
"As long as it is implemented, I think the rakyat will understand if it will take some time," said Lim.
On Feb 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the development allowance for government MPs had been reduced to RM1.3mil from RM3.mil.
Anwar said the move was meant to better control the country’s finances and would be implemented in stages.
