Kedah has more right over 'Penang', says the prime minister's special officer Latt Shariman Abdullah, who has described Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as “too much” for restricting the use of the word by event organisers.

dapsy agm 091212 lim guan eng 02 He said historically, Penang was part of Kedah, which was leased to the British by the Kedah Sultan in 1786 with an annual payment of RM10,000, until now.

"The lease agreement document still exists, which means Kedah's ownership of Penang is valid and Kedah has right over Penang," he said after handing out the RM100 schooling aid for pupils of Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Taman Aman, in Alor Setar, yesterday.

Latt Shariman, who is also Kuala Kedah Umno division chief, regarded Lim's excuse of preventing the perception that the state government was involved in an event using the word 'Penang', as shallow.

"The 1Malaysia name is being widely used, so what's wrong with people using the word 'Penang' for an event held in the state (Kedah)?

"In fact, every Malaysian has the right to use the word 'Penang' or 'Pulau Pinang', just like the 1Malaysia Menu, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia and so on," he said, adding that Lim's latest stance only showed his increasing arrogance.

- Bernama