ALOR STAR – Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been told to behave like he is truly sorry, following his apology over his comment on freezer containers to hold Covid-19 bodies at a press conference.
Kedah DAP chairman Tan Kok Yew said he doubts that the leader has learnt his lesson, as the state administration continues to draw flak.
Sanusi, 47, had on Saturday apologised for the “joke” he made after facing public backlash.
He reportedly said “there are enough funeral containers, and whoever wants to book for a spot, can give us your names”.
His comment drew a strong public reaction, with police arresting four individuals, so far, following a report lodged by an officer attached to the state government.
Tan said Sanusi should focus more on reversing the high Covid-19 infection rate in the state, reviving the economy and reinstalling public confidence.
“The authorities should also condone a degree of freedom of expression as people are frustrated at how Covid-19 has upended their lives.”
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy demanded to know why a senior citizen has been swiftly arrested following his post of a viral video criticising the Kedah leader.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan also reportedly said the party condemns police action in arresting four individuals who were venting their frustration.
Four people including an I.T. analyst, trader, contractor, and a retiree have been nabbed by police so far for allegedly insulting Sanusi following his gaffe last week.
However, this is not the first time Sanusi has courted criticism since taking over the state last year.
Just last month, he was compounded for going on a test drive in Auto City, Penang, during the height of the movement control order.
His threatened to shut down the water supply from Sg Muda in Kedah to neighbour Penang – a controversial move drew sharp rebuke from political leaders.
He clashed with Ramasamy over the demolition of two makeshift Hindu temples in Kedah, and lambasted his critics of being “drunk on the toddy of populism”.
Non-profit Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (Edict) in a statement also questioned why there is a need for police to detain Sanusi’s critics.
“Sanusi is human, and deserves to be reprimanded if he has made mistakes.”
On the arrest of the 61-year-old senior citizen, Edict said it is inhumane to arrest the individual during pre-dawn hours.
After completing his studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Sanusi settled in Penang, where he briefly worked at the Consumers Association of Penang before getting involved in politics with PAS.
He was the political secretary to former Kedah menteri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak from 2008 to 2013. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
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