SHAH ALAM – There is a strong flavour of rebellion right now in the politics of Kedah and this was the culprit behind the meteoric popularity of Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor.
Such was the answer by former Kedah MB Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir on a poser on Sanusi’ phenomenal political clout that had enveloped the entirety of the northern state known for its vast and picturesque padi fields.
"We’re a polite lot, us Kedahans, but most of us do have that defiant streak – the penchant to be a rebel without a cause, which at times resonated well among us,” said Mukhriz at Sinar Daily’s TopNews podcast.
Indeed, Mukhriz – the Pejuang president – was correct.
Sanusi has been dominating the headlines of late in which his firebrand antics had landed him in hot waters with a case in point being a controversial jab against Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari which led to a slip-of-tongue implicating the Sultan of Selangor.
"When I was MB, my style was different. I wanted to bring something new to Kedah politics, but I guess, such a change takes time to happen.
"Sadly, my time in Kedah was cut short,” said Mukhriz, in reference to his infamous second ouster as MB in May 2020 which paved the way for Sanusi’s rise as MB.
A victim of serial political backstabbing – with the first being in January 2016 when he was with Barisan Nasional – Mukhriz felt that two strikes of betrayal was enough.
"I think my stint in Kedah state politics is over. Twice, I have been done in. Not by the people but by my own allies.
"I went to the people of Kedah twice. I led BN to defeat the then-Pas incumbent government. I led PH (Pakatan Harapan) to defeat the then-BN incumbent. I succeeded.
"But last year’s general election...there was nothing we could do about it. There was a massive wave supporting Perikatan Nasional. I lost. My party also lost,” he lamented.
While Kedahans will go to the polls this coming August 12, Mukhriz said that his party, Pejuang, will not take part in it as it wants to focus more on cultivating young leaders for the time being.
"That would would be Pejuang’s job for now. We want to be a factory that produces young and capable leaders,” he said.