PAS' rising star Sanusi - bane or boon for PN?
It was almost midnight in the sleepy town of Tanjong Karang, Selangor, but locals gathered at Perikatan Nasional’s campaign programme decided to postpone their slumber.
Laughter could be heard echoing through the PAS complex - situated right smack in the centre of a palm oil estate - on June 3.
The reason behind the kampung folk’s amusement – Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Delivering his speech in a fairly high-pitched voice, with big hand gestures and a plethora of jokes, it is safe to describe the 48-year-old PAS leader as nothing short of an animated extrovert.
Even the most stony-faced observer might find it hard not to crack at least one smile during his speech.
“In Kedah, they (Pakatan Harapan and coalition government partners) prepared buses and ‘removed portions of the roofs’ to show their faces to the public. They lined up and waved to the people but no one waved back.
“The people can’t accept this federal government’s style. They are given a hefty salary to be ministers and deputy ministers.
“What business do they have on the roofless bus? Go do your work! That (bus is) for circus performers!” he said in an apparent jibe at the federal government’s rollout of a double-decker bus in April to woo Kedah voters ahead of the state polls.
While many may deem his boisterous demeanour as “crass”, he explained to the crowd that it was, however, his “ceramah style”.
“When we speak in an election campaign, there must be criticism or the audience would fall asleep.
“There must be jokes, there must be serious and light matters too.
“People in the audience, they come from all walks of life. So we have to accommodate everyone. Those who want to relax (at ceramah sessions) at night, I would crack jokes,” he said, in a thick Kedahan accent.
Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor
However, not everyone is as accepting of his jokes as the PN supporters he was addressing.
A day before kickstarting the campaign in Selangor, the PN election director was in Penang to speak at a ceramah to galvanise support for coalition partner Gerakan.
However, in his speech in Permatang Pauh, he once again courted brickbats when he uttered a Hokkien word, referring to the male genitalia, prompting a DAP MP to lodge a police report against him.
Sanusi is, admittedly, uncouth and appears prone to put his foot in his mouth, but these very characteristics have resonated well with the average person PN is targeting.
It is why PN is continuously deploying the popular Kedah PAS chief to make inroads into Harapan-held states ahead of the state elections.
Growing up poor
Sanusi is the seventh in a family of 13 siblings.
The Sik native had expressed sadness while recollecting how he grew up in a hardcore poor family, with his father taking up numerous jobs to support them.
In an interview with Sinar Harian in 2020, he could not hold back tears when he recalled his daily meals as a child - rice with salt or fried grasshoppers, with one egg being split eight ways among his siblings.
Before stepping foot into politics, the Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate served as an executive valuator at Jurunilai Bersekutu (M) Sdn Bhd as well as education director for the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP).
In 2008, Sanusi contested in the Belantek state constituency but lost to Umno’s Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah.
He was then appointed as political secretary to the previous PAS Kedah menteri besar – the late Azizan Abdul Razak – from 2008 to 2013.
In the 2018 general election, he emerged victorious in the Jeneri state seat after defeating Umno’s Mahadzir Abdul Hamid and Bersatu’s Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan.
In May 2020, Sanusi was catapulted to menteri besar-ship, replacing Mukhriz Mahathir after an intense power tussle in the northern state following the Sheraton Move.
Since then, he has been in the public eye - be it on screen, on stage, on social media or on the field, quite literally - building a huge following.
Shortly after he helmed office, Sanusi was elected to head the Kedah Football Association. The football enthusiast even went to the extent of giving himself the moniker "Lionel Nussi," inspired by renowned Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi.
However, not everyone is as accepting of his jokes as the PN supporters he was addressing.
A day before kickstarting the campaign in Selangor, the PN election director was in Penang to speak at a ceramah to galvanise support for coalition partner Gerakan.
However, in his speech in Permatang Pauh, he once again courted brickbats when he uttered a Hokkien word, referring to the male genitalia, prompting a DAP MP to lodge a police report against him.
Sanusi is, admittedly, uncouth and appears prone to put his foot in his mouth, but these very characteristics have resonated well with the average person PN is targeting.
It is why PN is continuously deploying the popular Kedah PAS chief to make inroads into Harapan-held states ahead of the state elections.
Growing up poor
Sanusi is the seventh in a family of 13 siblings.
The Sik native had expressed sadness while recollecting how he grew up in a hardcore poor family, with his father taking up numerous jobs to support them.
In an interview with Sinar Harian in 2020, he could not hold back tears when he recalled his daily meals as a child - rice with salt or fried grasshoppers, with one egg being split eight ways among his siblings.
Before stepping foot into politics, the Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate served as an executive valuator at Jurunilai Bersekutu (M) Sdn Bhd as well as education director for the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP).
In 2008, Sanusi contested in the Belantek state constituency but lost to Umno’s Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah.
He was then appointed as political secretary to the previous PAS Kedah menteri besar – the late Azizan Abdul Razak – from 2008 to 2013.
In the 2018 general election, he emerged victorious in the Jeneri state seat after defeating Umno’s Mahadzir Abdul Hamid and Bersatu’s Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan.
In May 2020, Sanusi was catapulted to menteri besar-ship, replacing Mukhriz Mahathir after an intense power tussle in the northern state following the Sheraton Move.
Since then, he has been in the public eye - be it on screen, on stage, on social media or on the field, quite literally - building a huge following.
Shortly after he helmed office, Sanusi was elected to head the Kedah Football Association. The football enthusiast even went to the extent of giving himself the moniker "Lionel Nussi," inspired by renowned Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi.
He gained popularity - and notoriety - among local football fans after trading furious verbal blows with Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim over the sport.
Despite coming under attack from the blue blood, Kedah locals - especially young football fanatics - stood behind him.
Double-edged sword
Regarded as Sanusi’s close confidant, Kedah PAS information chief Mohd Azam Abd Samat said the outspoken figure is a committed leader.
Kedah PAS information chief Mohd Azam Abd Samat
Having known Sanusi for 16 years, Azam told Malaysiakini that the former means no harm when speaking out.
“Maybe there is a difference in political support, that’s why some people may hear it (Sanusi’s jokes) as harsh.
“Previously, there were politicians from other parties who were cruder.
“For instance, there was a politician who did not want to be with PAS because ‘PAS melacurkan anak’ (sell their children as prostitutes). Isn’t that cruder?”
This was in reference to Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar’s remarks in 2020, that likened PAS to “gambling addicts who would sell their own children as prostitutes” after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang branded Amanah as anak derhaka (disobedient child).
Azam said this was a line that Sanusi would not cross.
“Sanusi has never said anything like that. When we listen to his speeches, Sanusi would also speak about the rakyat, poverty and ongoing issues,” he added.
Having known Sanusi for 16 years, Azam told Malaysiakini that the former means no harm when speaking out.
“Maybe there is a difference in political support, that’s why some people may hear it (Sanusi’s jokes) as harsh.
“Previously, there were politicians from other parties who were cruder.
“For instance, there was a politician who did not want to be with PAS because ‘PAS melacurkan anak’ (sell their children as prostitutes). Isn’t that cruder?”
This was in reference to Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar’s remarks in 2020, that likened PAS to “gambling addicts who would sell their own children as prostitutes” after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang branded Amanah as anak derhaka (disobedient child).
Azam said this was a line that Sanusi would not cross.
“Sanusi has never said anything like that. When we listen to his speeches, Sanusi would also speak about the rakyat, poverty and ongoing issues,” he added.
Despite not fitting into the stereotype of a PAS politician being an ulama, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu asserted that Sanusi is like any of his party colleagues.
“He is not too different actually. Although he did not come from a tahfiz school, he has very strong Islamic fundamental teaching and knowledge.
“Besides being good at making jokes, he has a good character and resonated well with the masses, especially the Malay crowd.
“He can explain serious matters in a manner that normal folk can understand and that’s a talent that not many leaders have,” he told Malaysiakini.
Faizal, who is popularly known as Peja, said the Sanusi that he has come to know is a truthful person and “is not someone who makes enemies”.
“Sometimes people must understand where he comes from, it could come across as ‘kasar’ (crass) but from his district – he’s from Sik – that’s how they speak.
“They are very comfortable with speaking out.”
Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu
That said, Faizal is of the opinion that Sanusi’s unfiltered candidness could come back to bite the latter in the back.
“So far he’s pushing all the right buttons. But sometimes, politicians need to draw a line on how and when to say certain things. Sometimes, there are things that you don’t have to mention, you keep it to yourself.
“A leader like Sanusi… It is not wrong to speak his mind, he has his rights but it might give him problems.
“It can be an asset, but it can also backfire. If people keep talking about him, it could impact his image as a politician,” he added.
Universiti Utara Malaysia professor Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani shared similar sentiments, saying Sanusi’s reputation may instead spell trouble for PN and could affect the coalition’s winning chances in Kedah during the state election.
“For me, it's Kedah Darul Aman (abode of peace). Kedah has always wanted things to be peaceful, not too controversial and no conflict.
“The way Sanusi is governing Kedah right now is not too healthy for his party and Kedahans.
“For ordinary locals, they want a good relationship between the state and federal government so they can reap the benefits,” he added.
That said, Faizal is of the opinion that Sanusi’s unfiltered candidness could come back to bite the latter in the back.
“So far he’s pushing all the right buttons. But sometimes, politicians need to draw a line on how and when to say certain things. Sometimes, there are things that you don’t have to mention, you keep it to yourself.
“A leader like Sanusi… It is not wrong to speak his mind, he has his rights but it might give him problems.
“It can be an asset, but it can also backfire. If people keep talking about him, it could impact his image as a politician,” he added.
Universiti Utara Malaysia professor Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani shared similar sentiments, saying Sanusi’s reputation may instead spell trouble for PN and could affect the coalition’s winning chances in Kedah during the state election.
“For me, it's Kedah Darul Aman (abode of peace). Kedah has always wanted things to be peaceful, not too controversial and no conflict.
“The way Sanusi is governing Kedah right now is not too healthy for his party and Kedahans.
“For ordinary locals, they want a good relationship between the state and federal government so they can reap the benefits,” he added.
Azizuddin opined that Sanusi is a unique character but was rather dubious about his popularity.
He called Sanusi’s behaviour of making startling claims and demands on behalf of the state he runs, very unbecoming of a menteri besar.
“There is some authority in his words and it could be made into policies.
“I think it’s very clear to see that he is diverting issues that concern Kedahans to other issues. He is uncomfortable talking about the state’s many unresolved issues like its development, water woes and state policies.
“What he has said so far is only to make him controversial, relevant and popular,” he told Malaysiakini.
A force to be reckoned with
However, political scientist Azmil Mohd Tayeb believes that Sanusi is undeniably a force to be reckoned with.
Acknowledging Sanusi’s character as a “noisy” politician or as some urban folk have dubbed him - a “clown” - Azmil said those who underestimate him are doing it “at their own risks”.
“He is not simply doing it because he needs the crowd, but he does it on purpose. It plays very well with his demographic.
“Going back to the Penang issue, it plays well in Kedah. I guess that’s why he’s doing it.
“He’s a shrewd politician, that much I can say about him,” the Universiti Sains Malaysia associate professor added.
Likening Sanusi to former US president Donald Trump, he said Sanusi’s supporters would offer unwavering support to him come the state election.
“It’s almost like a ‘Trump effect’. Trump can be quite vulgar and rough around the edges.
“You see the same vibe. With Trump, you know how devoted his followers are and that’s what they expect of him, as opposed to a more polished politician that is all too common.
“I think Sanusi has that kind of effect on people as well. That’s what makes him popular and keeps him going.”
In an era where partisan politics are becoming more entrenched, it is unlikely that Sanusi will convert any Harapan supporters in the upcoming state polls.
Instead, the true test for PAS’ rising star is whether he can work his charm to win over the middle ground and fence-sitters in the upcoming state elections which are just around the corner.
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