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 | |
14th Menteri Besar of Kedah | |
Assumed office 17 May 2020 | |
Monarch | Sallehuddin |
Preceded by | Mukhriz Mahathir |
Constituency | Jeneri |
State Leader of the Opposition of Kedah | |
In office 4 July 2018 – 17 May 2020 | |
Monarch | Sallehuddin |
Menteri Besar | Mukhriz Mahathir |
Preceded by | Amiruddin Hamzah |
Succeeded by | Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi |
Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly for Jeneri | |
Assumed office 9 May 2018 | |
Preceded by | Mahadzir Abdul Hamid (BN–UMNO) |
Majority | 2,455 (2018) 16,050 (2023) |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Kampung Sungai Pauh, Sik, Kedah, Malaysia[2] | 4 August 1974
Citizenship | Malaysian |
Political party | Malaysian 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 mater | University of Science Malaysia (BA) |
Occupation | Politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
Branch/service | Royal Malaysian Navy Territorial Army Regiment |
Years of service | 1995–1997 2021–present |
Rank | Sub Lieutenant First Admiral |
Unit | Reserve Officer Training Unit |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Muhammad Sanusi become the first politician in Malaysia to receive the military ranks of First Admiral in 2021.[9]
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.
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% |