KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu has distanced his party and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition from PAS leader Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s insistence that Penang belongs to Kedah.

Hamzah, who is also PN secretary-general, said the coalition should avoid creating divisions at all levels ahead of the elections in six states, including Penang and Kedah, this year, news portal Malaysia Gazette reported yesterday.

"So, the truth is that Penang used to belong to Kedah,” he was quoted saying during the 14th Universiti Malaya Open Silat Championship of the Century Swordsmen yesterday.

Hamzah said PN will not raise the issue of Penang’s sovereignty at this time to avoid causing uncertainty.

"However, for now it is important that we develop the country together to determine a better future.

"We want to avoid division at any level,” he was quoted as saying.

The Larut MP was responding to Muhammad Sanusi’s continued insistence that Penang is part of Kedah.

Muhammad Sanusi is also the Kedah menteri besar, PN state chief, and PAS election director.

On May 29, Muhammad Sanusi said that Kedah and Penang do not have a border because the latter belongs to Kedah.

He also claimed that Kedah’s border is only with Perak and Perlis.

Muhammad Sanusi has refuses to retract or apologise for his statements in the face of the historical and geographic facts.

The upcoming election will involve six states, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Terengganu after the respective state legislative assemblies are expected to dissolve by the end of this month.