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 uncert...