DATUK Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been the star of this elections.
One cannot be blamed if it appears that Sanusi is the leader of Perikatan Nasional (PN) – not former prime minister and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin or PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
No ceramah by the incumbent federal coalition led by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will be complete without a mention of Sanusi, the caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar.
In Penang, the weekend ceramah led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were peppered with mentions of Sanusi – his handling of Kedah’s economy; his statements that Penang belongs to Kedah; and Penang’s reliance on Kedah for water supply.
The latest talking point of course is the theft of rare earth elements (REE) which Anwar’s coalition blames on poor governance by Sanusi’s administration.
However, far from having the desired effect, these issues help bolster Sanusi’s popularity.
His name continues to trend, and media puts it in headlines.
PN is want of charismatic and entertaining leaders. Sanusi on the other hand is a showman, not shy of using colourful language to emphasise his point.
In response to fears that PAS will impose Islamic laws on non-Muslims, he said: “Look at Kelantan, until now have we ever told Chinese men to cut their lanchau (penis)?”
At Anwar’s ceramah Madani in his family stronghold of Permatang Pauh – which is only 80km to the Kedah border – several attendees felt Sanusi’s style of campaigning resonates with youth.
“He says memorable things. His antics are entertaining and some people gravitate towards it. They remember that and want more,” said PH supporter Mohd Fatullah Ibrahim.
The 27-year-old does several odd jobs but earns most of his income as a delivery rider.
However, Sanusi’s aggressive style of campaigning resonates with angry disenfranchised youth – either unemployed or working multiple jobs to earn a living.
“He makes it as though it is the Federal Government’s fault and poor leadership,” said Rosli Ahmad, 30, who said he has not decided who to vote for in the coming Saturday’s six state polls.
Another PH supporter Salim Mohsin, 32, however he said Anwar’s Madani policies of dignified income do help to cut through the noise.
“Look at Kelantan. Thirty-three years and youths there had to leave the state to earn a living outside.
“I don’t think Sanusi has introduced any meaningful economic policies for Kedah but Anwar seems to have a plan,” he said.
In fact, Salim’s assessment is consistent with Anwar’s own pitch to Kedah folks – Germany’s Infineon Technologies RM25 billion semiconductor investment in Kulim following an agreement with the federal government is expected to be a game changer.
“They (investors) want a government that is stable and moderate. That’s why they came here after we took over the federal government,” Anwar said in a slight against Muhyiddin’s administration.
However just like in Kelantan, Anwar and PH-BN may face a similar issue in Kedah and the fringes of the Penang-Kedah border.
Sentiment and religion play a big part in the decision-making process, as they have been in Kelantan for three decades, as Anwar acknowledged during his ceramah.
Appealing to youths to vote for their future he said they deserve a government that has their welfare in mind – implying that being a PN state, he could have just invited Infineon to Selangor, Penang or any of the PH-BN held states.
However Sanusi’s popularity – especially among youth could work against the former.
“Malay youth look at him as a possible leader of PAS. He resonates with the young and B40.
“But the problem he may face in the party is that the young members of PAS see him more relevant to their struggle than say, Hadi Awang who just talks about being a good Muslim and the hereafter,” said a senior PN central committee member.
“Grassroots feel Sanusi should be the natural successor and here is where it may prove a problem for Sanusi within his own party,” he said.
“The moment you are a threat to anyone else’s political ambition they will take you out.” — August 6, 2023