Muhammad Sanusi: I don’t regard myself as the poster boy for Kedah.
SEPANG: The Kedah state assembly is likely to be dissolved after June 18, most probably in the last week of the month, says Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The Kedah Mentri Besar said he would propose the date to the Sultan of Kedah as “it would be the best time to dissolve the state assembly”.
“As a mark of respect for Tuanku, I propose that the dissolution takes place after the birthday celebrations of Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah – which falls on June 18 – are completed.
“It is, however, completely the prerogative of the Sultan to decide when best to dissolve the state assembly,” said Muhammad Sanusi, who is also the Jeneri assemblyman and PAS national election director.
Kedah, which is controlled by Perikatan Nasional, is among six states due for a state election this year, besides Kelantan, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang.
Muhammad Sanusi also predicted the pending state elections to be full of “dirty tactics”, but was almost certain that Perikatan would retain Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“PAS has always been a survivor in Malaysian politics for more than 60 years. The other side can do anything they wish by disturbing our party funds, like what they did to our Perikatan partner by getting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to freeze its funds.
“Whether PAS has money or not, that is a second issue to our ability to win, and we have taught our Perikatan component members this survival skill too.
“I expect the state elections to be much dirtier than what had happened during the campaigning period of the last general election.
“Some of the tactics have already started – such as barring me from attending any Federal Government events or meetings,” said Muhammad Sanusi to The Star.
On the issue of PAS retaining the state government, Muhammad Sanusi said he did not want to be over-confident, “otherwise, I am quite sure we will get almost 99% of all the seats in the three states (Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu).”
He said the discussions on the distribution of seats among the Perikatan components in Kedah had completed. The talks involved PAS, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Gerakan.
“Seat distributions are more than 90% completed in other states as well. Only a few seats are still being discussed and these are in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
“In Kedah, I am quite sure Perikatan will take 33 of the 36 seats easily. I will be kind enough to let 10% of the seats go to opposing parties.
“I don’t regard myself as the poster boy for Kedah as I believe no voter is going to be voting for the ‘boy’. They will vote for the best party to represent them at the state level.
“After the state elections, Perikatan will be the one to propose the right person to be the mentri besar. Let the parties decide then,” said Muhammad Sanusi, who was told by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang that all he had to do was “just be himself”.
