Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has questioned the uproar surrounding his proposal to turn Penang into a federal territory.

According to Bernama, Tengku Adnan said turning Penang into a federal territory can help make home ownership affordable.

He claimed the Penang government had allowed house prices to skyrocket and unlike BN, had not made any efforts to address the issue.

"If BN can do it, surely the Penang government can also do it. I am surprised at the DAP's reaction," he was quoted as saying.

Tengku Adnan said BN's affordable housing schemes had ensured that developers do not arbitrarily set high prices.

Yesterday, Tengku Adnan said his proposal to turn Penang into a federal territory was to help Malays, claiming that the state government had neglected them.

His statement had sparked criticism from DAP leaders, who are expected to lodge a police report against him tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii also criticised the opposition's vehement protest against Tengku Adnan's proposal.

Razlan said Tengku Adnan was merely considering the plight of the people, a consideration he claimed was not shared by DAP.

"The state government should carry out development that benefits all races, not only development that marginalises the poor and minorities.

"In Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, all developments are beneficial to all categories of people, be it those who are poor, have moderate wealth or are rich," he said.

He also criticised Parti Amanah Negara deputy president Salahuddin Ayub joining DAP in condemning the proposal.

"As a Malay leader, he should champion the Malays in Penang who are oppressed," he said.

He added that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was unqualified to rebut on the matter, citing his ongoing corruption case. Lim had called the proposal "unacceptable".