‘Politically incorrect’ but popular Sanusi will boost PN, says analyst

 

Sanusi Nor, who heads the PAS-led state government in Kedah, has been described as undiplomatic and politically incorrect but popular.

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional will gain by retaining controversial Sanusi Nor as the coalition’s “poster boy” for the Kedah state assembly elections this year, says political analyst Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara.

Azmi said Sanusi is popular in the state, especially among PAS supporters. “Sanusi can be very undiplomatic and politically incorrect most of the time, but for PAS and some Malay supporters, that does not matter. So PN has made a good move to keep him as the poster boy,” Azmi told FMT.

Yesterday, Kedah PAS commissioner Ahmad Yahaya said Sanusi would continue to head the state government if PAS retained power in Kedah.

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PAS and Bersatu are partners in Perikatan Nasional which has 21 seats in the state assembly, from PAS (15) and Bersatu (6).

Ahmad said Sanusi’s steadfastness in protecting the state’s interest, combined with the political pressure he places on his opponents, are among the reasons contributing to his popular support.

Azmi added that Sanusi was also willing to stand up against the federal government, which augured well for his supporters.

He cited the times Sanusi defended the development of the Kulim airport by saying the project would be fully funded by the private sector and would not burden Putrajaya financially.

Azmi said former Kedah menteris besar have also taken a similar stance on the proposed airport. The project was mooted in 2018 by the menteri besar then, Mukrhriz Mahathir, now president of Pejuang.

“Usually, it would not bode well for a state to go against the federal government… but Sanusi is just stepping into the shoes of his predecessors, making him well-liked and respected by Kedahans,” Azmi said.

However, analyst James Chin of the University of Tasmania said PN’s decision to stick with Sanusi was because the coalition lacked other prominent figures to replace him.

“Sanusi is active on social media and says controversial things. There is no one else who is as high profile as him,” he said. “With the state elections taking place in about four months, PN doesn’t have time to introduce a new figure,” he said.

Chin said Sanusi’s controversial statements would only attract a specific sect of Malay voters. - FMT