GEORGE TOWN: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has waded into the “Kedah owns Penang” controversy by claiming that historically, the Kedah Sultan agreed for the British East India Company to take over the island for 6,000 Spanish dollars a year.
"This was increased to 10,000 Spanish dollars a year after a strip of the mainland opposite was added to the deal.
"In addition to this, the agreement required the British company to help in the defence of Kedah if attacked by foreign countries, added Dr Mahathir on Tuesday (June 6).”
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Taking to Twitter he said while he did not want to be involved in the controversy over Penang, but suggesting that Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was committing a crime for giving his views of the history of the island was too much.
Dr Mahathir said the agreement with regard to ceding of Singapore was different as it was straightforward as the British made a one-time payment of 60,000 Spanish dollars to the Temenggong.
"As such, the difference between the Penang deal and Singapore deal was obvious.
"I will not say anything about what happened to these two territories of Malaya except to admit that I persuaded then Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to give more than RM10,000 to Kedah every year.
"I am not asking anyone to believe me. So you can take this story with a dollop of salt," added Dr Mahathir.
