ALOR SETAR: The new unity government at the federal level will be “asking for trouble” should it sideline Kedah, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor.
He said this was because democracy would not allow such a thing to happen.
Muhammad Sanusi said he was optimistic that the state would not be marginalised by the Pakatan Harapan-led Federal Government despite Perikatan Nasional, of which PAS is a component party, now being in the Opposition bloc.
He was quoted by Bernama as saying that the current political landscape, democratic system, and the federalism concept practised in this country ‘would not allow’ the Federal Government to do so.
“I think under the federalism system, all states have the same rights. The Federal Government and the states will continue to cooperate, so I don’t see any problem at all.
“Democracy does not allow such things (the Federal Government side-lining the state government). If they still do it, then they are asking for trouble,” he told reporters here yesterday.
He was asked about the state government’s hopes for the new unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
On Friday, Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition remained steadfast in its decision not to join the Pakatan-led government, adding that the coalition wanted to strengthen democracy and play an effective check-and-balance role in Parliament.
On polling involving the Padang Serai parliamentary seat for the 15th General Election which will be held on Dec 7, Muhammad Sanusi said he was confident that Perikatan would have an easy victory.
Earlier, he launched the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Carnival, as well as the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultanah Asma here.
