Dato' Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor (Jawi: محمد سنوسي بن مد نور; Malay pronunciation: [muhammad sanusi]; born 4 August 1974[1]) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the 14th Menteri Besar of Kedah since May 2020[4] and Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Jeneri since May 2018. He was the Leader of the Opposition of the state from July 2018 to May 2020.
Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor | |
|---|---|
محمد سنوسي مد نور | |
 Muhammad Sanusi in 2022 | |
| 14th Menteri Besar of Kedah | |
| Assumed office 17 May 2020 | |
| Monarch | Sallehuddin |
| Preceded by | Mukhriz Mahathir |
| Constituency | Jeneri |
| State Leader of the Opposition of Kedah | |
| In office 4 July 2018 – 17 May 2020 | |
| Monarch | Sallehuddin |
| Menteri Besar | Mukhriz Mahathir |
| Preceded by | Amiruddin Hamzah |
| Succeeded by | Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi |
| Constituency | Jeneri |
| Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly for Jeneri | |
| Assumed office 9 May 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Mahadzir Abdul Hamid (BN–UMNO) |
| Majority | 2,455 (2018) 16,050 (2023) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 August 1974[1] Kampung Sungai Pauh, Sik, Kedah, Malaysia[2] |
| Citizenship | Malaysian |
| Political party | Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) |
| Other political affiliations | Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (2008–2015) Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) (2016–2020) Perikatan Nasional (PN) (since 2020) |
| Spouse(s) |
Jusmalailani Jusoh (m. 1999)Che Intan Subri (m. 2024) |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence(s) | Seri Mentaloon, Alor Setar, Kedah[3] |
| Alma mater | University of Science Malaysia (BA) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Branch/service |  Royal Malaysian Navy  Territorial Army Regiment |
| Years of service | 1995–1997[note 1] 2021–present[note 2] |
| Rank |  Sub Lieutenant  First Admiral[note 3] |
| Unit | Reserve Officer Training Unit |
His tenure as Menteri Besar of Kedah has been characterised by a series of political gaffes and scandals, as well as strained relationships with the federal government and other state governments in Malaysia. A member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), he has been perceived as one of the key figures in the "Green Wave" phenomena.
Early life and education
editMuhammad Sanusi was born in Kampung Sungai Pauh, Sik, Kedah, Malaysia[2] and he is the seventh child among 13 siblings from the marriage of Md Nor Taib (born 1942) and Meriam Ahmad (born 1949).[5] He came from a poor family.
Muhammad Sanusi received his primary education at Sekolah Rendah Batu 5, Sik and later his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mohamad Jiwa, Sungai Petani, Kedah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sik, Sik, Kedah and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Derma, Kangar, Perlis. He was sacked from school twice, once from Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mohamad Jiwa. The second sacking was at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sik, because of his bad behaviour and his parents being unable to settle the payment for his school's annual fee. He tend to get bullied from his schoolmates due to his poor background. He continued his education to Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang after having completed his Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Derma. He received his Bachelor of Political Science in Social Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor, Penang.[5] During his university years, he underwent the training as navy reserve officer cadet and commissioned in 1997.
Early career
editMuhammad Sanusi began his career as an education officer for Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) (1998–2002), executive secretary for Institut Pemikiran dan Kepimpinan Melayu (IMPAK) (2002–2004) and assessment executive for Jurunilai Bersekutu (M) Sdn Bhd (2004–2008). He also served as board member for Syarikat Air Darul Aman (SADA) since 2010 until 2013.
Political career
editDuring his political career, Muhammad Sanusi served as PAS election director, chairman of PASRelief, central director-general of PAS Security (since 2017), PAS divisional commissioner of Sik, Kedah (since 2015), Kedah PAS deputy commissioner (since 2015), Political Secretary to 10th Menteri Besar of Kedah YAB Tan Sri Dato' Seri Diraja Ustaz Haji Azizan Abdul Razak (2008 to 2013). He also served as election director of PN since 2023.
Muhammad Sanusi won the highest number of votes in the Central Working Committee (AJK) members election with 1,098 votes in the PAS party election 2023.
Menteri Besar of Kedah
editMuhammad Sanusi served as 14th Menteri Besar of Kedah since 2020. On 17 May 2020, Mukhriz Mahathir resigned as Menteri Besar of Kedah mentioning he couldn't hold on to majority among his state assemblymen and thus relinquished his position.[6] Sanusi sworn-in before the Sultan of Kedah, Sallehuddin on 17 May 2020.
During his tenure as the Menteri Besar of Kedah, he oversees many development and achievement in Kedah, including earned RM68.3 billion in 2021 and RM7.34 billion from investment in 2022; upgraded six Water Treatment Plants (Malay: Loji Rawatan Air or LRA) includes LRA Lubuk Buntar, LRA Bukit Selambau, LRA Sungai Limau, LRA Baling, LRA Jenun Baru and LRA Pelubang; 5,417 land title grants have been given to applicants who have been applying for decades; Kedah Rubber City (KRC) which has been in disrepair for a long time will be developed in the PN era with a total of RM2.2 billion and many more.
Involvement in navy
editMuhammad Sanusi became the first politician in Malaysia to receive the military ranks of First Admiral in 2021 from the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).[7]
Controversies and issues
editMuhammad Sanusi courted many controversies during his term as the Menteri Besar of Kedah since 2020 that have made him a polarizing figure in Malaysia. This includes rare-earth metal (REE) deposits, threats to cut Penang's water supply, accusations of racism, his comments on the Thaipusam holiday in Kedah, a COVID-19 corpse joke, an obscene speech in Penang, accusations of revanchism in relation to Penang,[8] and controversial remarks about the appointment of the Menteri Besar of Selangor by the state's Sultan.[9]
Personal life
editSanusi married his first wife, a school teacher, in February 1999. In 2024, he confirmed that he had taken a second wife, a policewoman.[10][11] He has five children by his first wife.
Sanusi currently resides in Seri Mentaloon, Alor Setar, Kedah.[note 4][12]
In 2023, he released his own biography book, titled Pegunan Perjalanan Hidup: Dinding Sekeping Adik Seorang, and this book was launched by President of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Abdul Hadi Awang.[13][14]
Election results
edit| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | N23 Belantek | Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (PAS) | 7,974 | 49.20% | Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah (UMNO) | 8,226 | 50.70% | 16,475 | 252 | 86.60% | ||
| 2018 | N24 Jeneri | Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (PAS) | 10,626 | 46.32% | Mahadzir Abdul Hamid (UMNO) | 8,171 | 35.61% | 27,641 | 2,455 | 84.70% | ||
| Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (BERSATU) | 4,146 | 18.07% | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (PAS) | 21,823 | 79.08% | Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim (UMNO) | 5,773 | 20.92% | 27,754 | 16,050 | 79.08% | |||
Honours
edit
Kedah :
Member of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (AMK) (2010)[15]
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (SPMK) – Dato' Seri (2021)[16][17]
Bibliography
editBook
editNotes
edit- ^ Underwent training as reserve officer during his studies at USM.
- ^ Awarded as a honorary one-star general by TLDM.
- ^ Honorary rank.
- ^ The official residence of the Menteri Besar of Kedah.
References
edit- ^ a b "Muhammad Sanusi pemimpin mesra, mudah didekati". Sinarharian. 17 May 2020.
- ^ a b "'Sebiji telur belah lapan'". Berita Harian. 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Tengku Zafrul kunjungi MB Kedah". Bernama.
- ^ "Menteri Besar baharu Kedah angkat sumpah esok". 16 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor". PRU @ Sinar Harian. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/17/mukhriz-formally-announces-resignation-as-kedah-mb/1866916
- ^ "MB Kedah terima pangkat Laksamana (Kehormat) TLDM". Harakah Daily. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "The controversy behind Kedah's claim of Penang". 6 June 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ "57 reports received against Sanusi over remarks on Selangor sultan, says IGP". 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ "'Ya, saya kahwin dengan anggota polis, isteri saya yang pinangkan' - Muhammad Sanusi". Harian Metro.
- ^ "Sah! Sanusi kahwin pegawai polis isteri kedua". Astro Awani.
- ^ "Tengku Zafrul kunjungi MB Kedah". Bernama.
- ^ "Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor doing a book-signing session of his autobiography". Lumi News Malaysia.
- ^ "Pay us RM100 million, not even Kemuncup grass will be cut in Ulu Muda forest - Sanusi". NST Online.
- ^ "Carian Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". eservices.kedah.gov.my.
- ^ "Kedah MB is now 'Datuk Seri'". New Straits Times. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "MB Sanusi heads awards list on Kedah Sultan's birthday". Malay Mail. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor doing a book-signing session of his autobiography". Lumi News Malaysia.
- ^ "Pay us RM100 million, not even Kemuncup grass will be cut in Ulu Muda forest - Sanusi". NST Online.
External links
edit
- Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on Facebook
- Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on Twitter