Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had announced that an “I love Penang” campaign would be launched to counter Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's proposal to make the state, including Langkawi and Malacca, federal territories.

Though disagreeing with the minister's proposal, Gerakan however urged Lim not to “love” Penang when it suited his political ambition.

Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh said any true-blue Penangite would not agree with Adnan's suggestion.

“However, Adnan must be allowed to have his personal dream, just as all Penangnites dream of having Penang-born leaders to lead the state one day.

“What kind of love do you have when most of you (current leaders) are not from Penang? We don't need someone from Malacca, Johor, Perak or KL to lead Penang,” he told Malaysiakini.

He was referring to Lim and Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon, who were born in Johor, Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, who is from Perak, and others in the state executive council like Chow Kon Yeow, who hailed from Kuala Lumpur.

Baljit dismissed Lim's “I love Penang” campaign as nothing more than rethoric ahead of the general election.

Taking a leaf out of the chief minister's father, and veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang's “save Malaysia” book, the Gerakan man said: “To love Penang is to save Penang.”

“Save the green hills, the beautiful shores, and quality of life of Penangites first. These are fast eroding with the rate of development in Penang.

“How many Penangites can actually afford the high cost of houses in Penang, how many of us can enjoy our former lifestyle with such horrendous traffic congestion?” he asked.

“Walk the talk. Don't just love Penang in your rhetoric or only when it serves your political agenda, address all these issues which affect true Penangites,” he added.

Meanwhile, Baljit said Pakatan Harapan seem to be over-reacting to Adnan's proposal, as it is not possible to turn Penang into a Federal Territory, "just like that".

He cited Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution which recognises Penang as one of the states in Malaysia, and Article 2 which states that altering the boundary of any state requires the consent from the ruler and the Conference of Rulers.

“Another evidence that the DAP is merely engaging in cheap political rhetoric is the fact that it would commence its election machinery on March 18 to spread its propaganda to the people.

"Hence I urge the Chief Minister to put aside politics and focus on the betterment of the state and people as a whole,” said Baljit.