'Hero' Sanusi says ready to face court cases

 

STATE POLLS | Faced with multiple defamation suits and a sedition charge while on the campaign trail to defend his Jeneri seat, Kedah caretaker menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has remained confident about his winning chances both in and out of court.

Speaking to reporters at SK Bandar Baru Beris Jaya, Sik, Sanusi said while he did not expect that his campaign speeches would land him in court, he is nevertheless calm and prepared.

"I did not expect these suits to happen in that way. In elections, typically people will resolve (issues) in the political arena.

"But since the suits happened, we will get ready," he said.

Asked about the possibility of a Jeneri by-election if he won the seat today but was later disqualified by a court conviction, Sanusi (above) said: "I will win my court case(s). So there will be no by-election."

While Sanusi's revelations of alleged corruption scandals linked to prominent politicians including Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and caretaker Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari had earned him several defamation suits, certain quarters continue to hail him as Perikatan Nasional's hero.

Bigger challenges

Asked for comments, Sanusi quipped that he has "always been a hero" since the last 15th general election in Kedah where he led PN to capture more parliamentary seats.

"It's not just this time. I was a hero in GE15 when the rise (in support for PN) happened here in Kedah," he laughed.

On his strategy to remain calm, Sanusi said that he is the type of person who repels pressure.

"I don't absorb (pressure)... that's the way of politics. Those who cannot take it will quit.

"I think these (pressures) have been very minor. I am ready for bigger challenges," said the PAS election director.

Meanwhile, Sanusi noted that a higher voter turnout of more than 80 percent in Kedah today would see a bigger victory for PN.

According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout for Kedah as of noon has reached 41 percent. - Mkini