He said, unlike Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, which were acquired for different purposes, there was absolutely no reason to bring Penang under federal rule.

“Adnan’s proposal sounds more like an attempt to deprive Penang of its right of being governed by a state government,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Adnan, in an interview with business radio station BFM89.9, said he was considering making Penang, Langkawi and parts of Malacca as federal territories.

Adnan said this would ensure adequate funding and more development for the states concerned.

Kuala Lumpur, the national capital, was declared a federal territory in 1974, followed by Labuan (offshore financial centre) in 1984 and Putrajaya in 2001, as the administrative centre of the federal government

Ramkarpal said Adnan’s plan was a clear indication of Putrajaya’s desperation in controlling the state which it probably felt was now beyond the reach of Barisan Nasional (BN).

The then Pakatan Rakyat government, comprising DAP, PKR and PAS, won power in Penang in 2008. It retained the state with an even bigger majority in the 2013 general election.

Ramkarpal said Adnan’s statement reflected his shallowness and ignorance of the most basic of principles in any democracy that ultimately it was the people who should decide who should govern them.

“Penang is and will always be an important part of Malaysia. Any attempt to turn it into a federal territory will be seen more as a political manoeuvre,” he added.

Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng both shot down Adnan’s proposal yesterday.

Teng, who wants the island to remain as part of Penang, said those who want to pursue the idea should just “dream on”.

The Federal Constitution states that Parliament, with two-thirds approval of both houses, can admit new states and alter boundaries.

The plan must also obtain the consent of the affected state legislature, with a two-thirds majority.