Kedah MB tells public to avoid Malaysiakini, asks reporters to repent

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has reminded media portals not to "spin" a toddy analogy he made in a statement to MIC and DAP leaders over a temple demolition issue.

This followed reports of Sanusi telling his critics to not appear "drunk on two or three bottles after only consuming one" and suggesting that they were "drunk on the toddy of popularity" when denouncing him over the matter.

Sanusi's statement irked several politicians on both sides of the political divide and religious leaders who rebuked and accused him of playing up certain racial stereotypes.

In a media conference on Monday, Sanusi took a jab at media portals such as Malaysiakini and the now-defunct The Malaysian Insider and urged netizens not to refer to these sources for the news.

"If you refer to Malaysiakini, Malaysians will fight each other until the end of time. Don't refer to Malaysiakini.

"If a Malaysiakini reporter is present here, please repent.

"Malaysiakini, Malaysian Insider, and the likes who spin news," said Sanusi with a chuckle.

The PAS politician added that spinning the news to serve one's interests was sinful.

Sanusi had been asked to comment on netizens arguing with each other after Umno Youth exco member Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, had issued a statement urging the menteri besar to apologise to the Indian community over the toddy analogy.

Papagomo is a popular blogger with a controversial history.

"I don't entertain netizens, as (their comments) do not represent the real view," Sanusi said.

During the media conference, the PAS leader also told his critics to re-enrol for Bahasa Melayu classes.

"If they don't understand what was said, I think they need to re-enrol for Bahasa Melayu classes. Because Bahasa Melayu is full of metaphors (kiasan) and proverbs (bidalan).

"These metaphors and proverbs are not meant to have a direct meaning, but instead the meaning is hidden between the lines.

"For example, if someone is mabuk cinta (drunk with love), it doesn't mean he is drunk and in love, but merely means that he is syok (ecstatic) with love, and that is what I meant when I said mabuk populariti (drunk with popularity)," he said.

The current furore erupted after the Alor Setar City Council demolished a 50-year-old temple in Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah, last week to pave the way for the construction of a futsal court. The building had been erected on state land.

Also demolished in the operation were a silat hall and five parking areas. - Mkini