Council of Professors’ fellow Jeniri Amir said responses of the two coalition leaders to Sanusi’s recent comments have had the converse effect of raising his prominence and putting him at the centre of the country’s political discourse.
Jeniri believes the Kedah Perikatan Nasional chief’s standing will continue to rise so long as he remains a part of the discourse.
“Statements by PH and BN leaders (criticising Sanusi) contribute to the (political) discussion, and it will be discussed continuously and subsequently become part of the daily conversation.
“Leaders like Sanusi want to remain in the public eye. That is his agenda,” he told FMT.
The academic believes that although most of Sanusi’s recent remarks have been without merit, he has managed to capture the attention of people in the northern state, which is crucial given the impending state elections.
Hence, PH and BN leaders must coordinate their “attacks” and rely on a “clear narrative” to counter Sanusi, he said.
Since taking office in 2020, Sanusi has never shied away from controversial remarks, including racist comments such as suggesting Indian leaders were “drunk on toddy”, and referring to foreign footballers as “Awang Hitam”.
Sanusi stoked controversy again recently by claiming that his state “owns” Penang, saying that the territory of the Kedah sultanate extends to Balik Pulau on Penang Island.
His comments have drawn angry responses from several PH and BN politicians, particular DAP leaders, with RSN Rayer even labelling Sanusi’s claim “seditious”.
Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia, however, says the PH-BN alliance will not be able to capture Kedah in the upcoming state election simply by attacking Sanusi.
He says doing so will only increase Sanusi’s popularity in the state as his approach resonates well with the grassroots.
“Sanusi personifies the man on the street (by) his personality and how he talks, despite being controversial and disliked by the urban elite,” Azmi told FMT.
“His informal style is meant for his supporters, especially the kampung folk in Kedah,” he said, adding that Sanusi always expects to be railed against by his opponents.