Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

Summary

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, respectively, 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 until the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan state administration led by his predecessor Mukhriz Mahathir in May 2020. A member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), he is the party's Deputy Commissioner I of the state.[3][4] His tenure as Menteri Besar of Kedah is characterised by a series of political gaffes, scandals, bizarre claims and strained relationships with the federal government and other state governments in Malaysia, including a disparaging remark he had made against the Sultan of Selangor in 2023,[5] as well as claiming that the neighbouring state of Penang is a part of Kedah[6] and becoming one of the key people in the "Green Wave".

Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor
محمد سنوسي مد نور
Muhammad Sanusi in 2022
14th Menteri Besar of Kedah
Assumed office
17 May 2020
MonarchSallehuddin
Preceded byMukhriz Mahathir
ConstituencyJeneri
State Leader of the Opposition of Kedah
In office
4 July 2018 – 17 May 2020
MonarchSallehuddin
Menteri BesarMukhriz Mahathir
Preceded byAmiruddin Hamzah
Succeeded byPhahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi
Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly
for Jeneri
Assumed office
9 May 2018
Preceded byMahadzir Abdul Hamid (BN–UMNO)
Majority2,455 (2018)
16,050 (2023)
Personal details
Born (1974-08-04) 4 August 1974 (age 49)[1]
Kampung Sungai Pauh, Sik, Kedah, Malaysia[2]
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyMalaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
Other political
affiliations
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (2008–2015)
Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) (2018–2020)
Muafakat Nasional (MN)
Perikatan Nasional (PN) (2020–present)
Alma materUniversity of Science Malaysia (BA)
OccupationPolitician
Military service
AllegianceMalaysia Malaysia
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Branch/service Royal Malaysian Navy
Territorial Army Regiment
Years of service1995–1997
2021–present
Rank Sub Lieutenant
First Admiral
UnitReserve Officer Training Unit

Early life and education edit

Muhammad 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).[7] 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.[7] During his university years, he underwent the training as navy reserve officer cadet and commissioned in 1997.

Early career edit

Muhammad 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 edit

During 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.

Menteri Besar of Kedah edit

Muhammad 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.[8] Sanusi sworn-in before the Sultan of Kedah, Sallehuddin on 17 May 2020.

Involvement in navy edit

Muhammad Sanusi become the first politician in Malaysia to receive the military ranks of First Admiral in 2021.[9]

Controversies and issues edit

Personal life edit

Muhammad Sanusi was married to Jusmalailani Jusoh and they were blessed with 5 kids, namely Nur Fatihah, Muhammad Umar Zuhdi, Nur Asma', Nur Hana and Sofea Humaira. His wife work as a teacher in Batu 8 Secondary School in Sik, Kedah.

He enjoys playing football, sepak takraw, rugby, cycling, and singing/karoake in the TikTok application.

Election results edit

Kedah State Legislative Assembly
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

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Muhammad Sanusi pemimpin mesra, mudah didekati". Sinarharian. 17 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b "'Sebiji telur belah lapan'". Berita Harian. 31 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Muhammad Sanusi dijangka angkat sumpah MB Kedah esok". 16 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Menteri Besar baharu Kedah angkat sumpah esok". 16 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  5. ^ "57 reports received against Sanusi over remarks on Selangor sultan, says IGP". 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  6. ^ "The controversy behind Kedah's claim of Penang". 6 June 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor". PRU @ Sinar Harian. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  8. ^ news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/17/mukhriz-formally-announces-resignation-as-kedah-mb/1866916
  9. ^ "MB Kedah terima pangkat Laksamana (Kehormat) TLDM". Harakah Daily. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Carian Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". eservices.kedah.gov.my.
  11. ^ "Kedah MB is now 'Datuk Seri'". New Straits Times. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  12. ^ "MB Sanusi heads awards list on Kedah Sultan's birthday". Malay Mail. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.

External links edit

  • Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on Facebook
  • Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on Twitter
Government offices
Preceded by Chief Minister of Kedah
2020–present
Incumbent