‘Eight is too many for MB’

 

In the ­spotlight: Muhammad Sanusi clocking in on his first day of work after being reappointed as Kedah Mentri Besar at Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Setar, Kedah. — Bernama

Academics: Sanusi’s move will make him less effective

PETALING JAYA: Eight is enough? No, it’s too many, say analysts who believe that only a “superman” can effectively hold eight portfolios in a state executive council.

Such a large number of portfolios under one man would come at the expense of the state and its people, they said.

The analysts were talking about Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who will be helming that many state committees.

“It is not unusual for an MB or Chief Minister to hold multiple portfolios, but I think eight is just too many.

“Such centralisation of power can strengthen his grip on power, but will compromise work effectiveness. It also raises questions of good governance,” said political scientist Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar.

Tunku Mohar, of the International Islamic University Malaysia, noted that the porfolios Sanusi holds are unrelated.

“He must have thought it was important that he heads the portfolios, but the major issue is: can he can handle all at the same time? Because they seem to be important ones – like state planning, finance, land affairs and natural resources.

“One needs to be a superhuman to do the tasks,” he said.

Agreeing with the sentiment, Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian said Muhammad Sanusi should delegate the responsibilities to others to better govern.

“Time and engagement needs commitment. That will be a constraint although he might believe he is a superman who can fly wherever he wants,” he said.

On Aug 14, Muhammad Sanusi, the Jeneri assemblyman, was sworn in for a second term as Mentri Besar.

Apart from the state planning, land affairs and finance portfolios, he will also helm the state economic development council, Kedah Development 2035, government-linked companies, minerals and geoscience, mining and foreign relations.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan also questioned the wisdom behind his decision.

“It’s quite normal for an MB or CM to chair a few porfolios. But eight? I would say he thinks he must be a superman,” he said.

“Kedah needs impetus, policies and directions. This needs time and leadership which the government officers will be looking for.

“It is unbecoming of Sanusi as he will have to divide time between state responsibilities and his court cases.”

Muhammad Sanusi faces several defamation suits over statements he made recently. He also faces two sedition charges.

Azmi said the Mentri Besar’s decision showed a lack of trust in his subordinates’ abilities and will slow down growth in Kedah.

Universiti Malaya associate professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Sanusi is trying to consolidate his grip on power after the election success.

“The danger of one political power having a huge majority in a state is that there is no check and balance,” he said.

He also said the move is hypocritical of Perikatan Nasional, whose leaders had previously criticised the Prime Minister for also helming the finance ministry.

In a tongue-in-cheek retort, Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar said Sanusi should have just appointed himself to all 10 portfolios, instead of just eight.

“I would like to congratulate Sanusi for being appointed as MB and adding one more portfolio to his previous seven. Maybe there are no other representatives who can perform,” he said.

The Amanah vice-president added that despite being given the mandate by the people, Kedah is now left without a check and balance in the executive council. - Star