‘Sanusi factor’ cannot be downplayed, says DAP man

 

With PAS leader Sanusi Nor playing the victim card after his recent court date, Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional may lose several seats, says a DAP leader.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) cannot take Sanusi Nor lightly as he is capable of drawing votes away from the unity government in next month’s state elections, says a senior DAP leader.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the DAP leader said recent events have turned Sanusi into a hero instead of a villain.

He said Sanusi’s arrest at 3am, hours before he was scheduled to appear in court to face charges of sedition against royalty, may work against the unity government.

“Sanusi was already being criticised for his remarks, but his arrest in the wee hours of the morning made him a hero to some,” he said.

The police said the caretaker Kedah menteri besar was arrested at 3am because they wanted to ensure that he would appear in court that morning.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said calls to Sanusi and his aides had been “rejected”, but PAS leaders disputed the claim.

Meanwhile, the source said the unity government needs a voter turnout of at least 75% to stand a chance of wresting the states previously controlled by the opposition.

“The challenge for PH-BN is to ensure the non-Malay voters cast their ballots. If they are not able to do that, even Selangor might fall to PN (Perikatan Nasional),” he said.

“We will lose many seats with Sanusi playing the victim card. He has gained massive Malay support for PN.”

He said with PN being strong favourites to retain Kedah, PH should focus on Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

“I have been on the ground in Kedah. Many voters there say they do not have any reason to vote for Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government,” he said. - FMT