LOVE or hate him, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is poised to stay in the chronicles of Kedah politics for a fairly long time despite the apparent lack of development and a widening rift in the state’s relationship with federal authorities.

The 49-year-old coasted to victory in last year’s state election by securing a supermajority win when his Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition crushed the unity alliance of Barisan Nasional (BN) - Pakatan Harapan (PH) by winning 33 out of the 36 state seats.

In all, the majorities in the seats PN won superseded the previous state election in 2018, and Sanusi, the Jeneri assemblyman, is now firmly entrenched in Kedah.

The Sik-born leader, a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate, has outdone his mentor, the late Azizan Abdul Razak, who was the 10th menteri besar of the state.

Under his leadership, PN had even thrashed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 98, and his son Mukhriz Mahathir, 59, in 2022 when both lost their deposits in the Langkawi and Jerlun parliamentary seats respectively. 

Now, political observers are asking if Sanusi can maintain his hold of Kedah for PAS for a considerable period just like the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat did for PAS in Kelantan when the latter led from 1990 until 2013, a total of some 23 years.

Nik Aziz would have continued if not for old age and prostate cancer, as his influential hold over the state was legendary to say the least.

The circumstances are similar – Nik Aziz was relatively unknown except for his high religious pedigree when PAS approached and convinced him to lead Kelantan.

When Sanusi took over Kedah in 2020, he was just regarded as Azizan’s former political secretary but because PAS had the most number of seats in Kedah, he was offered the post as he was also the state PAS deputy commissioner.

Both Nik Aziz and Sanusi have common qualities – a predisposed ability to easily endear themselves to people from all walks of life, notably ordinary villagers.

So, is Kedah now considered a PAS stronghold?

Yes and no, say political insiders and Sanusi’s rivals in Kedah.

Voters growing tired?

It is rather early to predict if PAS will remain dominant in Kedah as the next election is only due in 2027/2028, said political scientist Sivamurugan Pandian from USM.

“I think his traits are the reason for his popularity. The way he communicates with the masses, reaches out with various target groups especially the youth via podcasts, singing and sports. 

“He seems more engaging and keeps close to them; and other issues become secondary,” said Sivamurugan when describing Sanusi.

Sivamurugan observed that Sanusi had endeared himself to the ride-sharing delivery riders, and even the mat rempits, as well as the farmers and traders.

However, Kedah DAP liaison chairman Tan Kok Yew noted that there are signs that the voters in the state are getting fed up with Sanusi’s antics.

“One can sing, ride bicycles and one can pass the blame to others but sooner or later, one must govern the state well. This is where Sanusi is failing,” said Tan.

Sanusi does not seem to understand that people crave for good economic development, they want quality jobs and they want a slice of prosperity, said Tan, who added that the majority of the youth are seeking opportunities elsewhere.

No matter how Sanusi manipulates the issues and plays the blame game, his legacy would be judged on how well he develops Kedah, not just in the spiritual aspects but in terms of real growth for the state, said Tan.

“Sanusi may have won the first round as politics is constant but in the next round, PH might be better prepared to face him,” said Tan.

Among the issues cited in Kedah are the inability to supply water consistently, economic growth, new infrastructure, and balancing the needs of religious conservatives and modernity, while reducing the state’s dependence on federal funding.

Pokok Sena Umno Youth division head Mohd Farhan Ahmad Lebai Sudin said he has mutual admiration for Sanusi, who is the Kedah Football Association president, whereas he sits as a committee member in the same association.

“Sanusi is a student of political science. He knows that populism is the new political order. It is happening everywhere else so he dwells on issues which makes him popular. He knows the sentiments in Kedah. We are a state with a parochial upbringing,” he said.

“He blames everyone else for the problems faced by Kedah. He also utilises the social media channels to a large advantage,” said Farhan.

He speaks the common man’s lingo and demonstrates that he is an ordinary Kedahan.

“So naturally, the average voter will adore him.”

Younger rivals needed

But Farhan does not think that Sanusi’s PAS can maintain its hold in Kedah like how it did in Kelantan or Terengganu for decades as the voters in Kedah are refined.

“I think each party will enjoy their moments in governing but once they are not delivering, the voters will gently replace them. Umno has a chance but there is a big but.”

He said that Kedah voters will be willing to give a chance for Umno to regain its clout, as after all, this is a state where many Umno leaders had hailed from, but the party needs young and fresher leaders to take up the struggle to displace PAS.

Currently, the opposition leadership is led by veterans such as Kedah Umno liaison chairman Mahdzir Khalid and Mahfuz Omar, the Amanah vice-president, who have contributed a lot to Kedah in the past.

But Farhan said there needs to be grooming of a younger set of leaders to take on Sanusi, who has become the face of PAS in Kedah.

“If one surveys the PAS elected representatives, there is a fair measure of aged persons too. But since Sanusi is young, the voters see PAS as young and as an alternative to PH, BN or other unity parties.”

For now though, Sanusi is poised to continue his legacy for perhaps a third or even fourth term, as the only way for the Islamist party to lose is if it is self-inflicted.

That is unless the opposition finds a leader who can match Sanusi, or if the federal side finds a way to the hearts of the voters in Kedah. – April 28, 2024.