Stop populist plays, focus on Kedah’s development: Sg Petani MP to Sanusi

SG PETANI – Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been told to focus on developing the state and not trying to score political points by blaming the federal government over issues.

Kedah Pakatan Harapan (PH) Youth chief Dr Taufiq Johari urged Sanusi to focus on managing the state as it is now under his administration.

Sanusi had slammed the previous PH government for failing to resolve the state’s water issues, as the northern region is hit by a dry spell that is threatening to disrupt supply.

This comes amid a possible water shortage during the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in Kedah. State water agency Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada) was reported as saying that it will implement a five-day contingency plan from today till April 24 to cater to a projected 30% spike in water consumption.

Taufiq urged Sanusi to devise a long-term plan to tackle the issue. “He should not be backtracking and blaming others for the state’s shortcomings,” said Taufiq.

“Sanusi has (been) the menteri besar for close to three years. But he still cannot help but blame the previous administration. After three years, Sanusi does not seem to have a clue on what to do to resolve the water supply (issue) here,” said Taufiq, who is Sg Petani MP.

He added that voters nowadays are opting for leaders who can deliver solutions, not just those who want to be a populist at the expense of accepting the realities confronting Kedah.

Sanusi had pointed the finger at PH for causing delays and increased costs for water-infrastructure upgrading works there.

Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who had served as water, land, and natural resources minister from 2018 to 2020, responded that it is unfair for the federal government to take the blame over the state’s prolonged water woes.

Xavier said the then federal government had approved about RM1.7 billion in loans for water-related projects in Kedah in 2019, but saw little to no progress made by the state, despite repeated pushes. 

Specifically, he said the amount was to upgrade water treatment plants, repair underground pipes, and improve the state’s water shortage situation. 

“However, there was a delay at the state level. They were taking their time to see through all these projects,” he said.

Recently, Sada chief executive Radzuan Osman had said that the Raya contingency plan is rolled out in anticipation of higher water consumption during the festive period following the return of outstation Kedahans, as well as the current dry spell which is expected to last for a while.

He said Sada has increased monitoring at all 35 water treatment plants, pumping stations, and reservoirs in an effort to maximise the percentage of water production, and ensure that water assets and infrastructure are operated without disruption.

Radzuan also advised the public to use water wisely during the festive season and prepare ahead by storing enough water in case of unexpected supply disruptions.

Meanwhile, Kedah Amanah chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh was also critical of Sanusi, saying he should focus on solving problems instead of stirring new ones.

Sanusi was appointed menteri besar by default after the state government under Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir fell after his Bersatu withdrew support for the PH coalition in Kedah.

As PAS has 15 seats out of the total 36 in the state assembly, Jeneri assemblyman Sanusi was subsequently named menteri besar, as he was at that time state opposition leader.

A former political secretary to ex-menteri besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, who died in 2013, Sanusi rose rapidly through the ranks and he is now PAS elections director.

He was also an electoral mastermind in PAS and its ally Bersatu, who together won 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats in Kedah in the last general election, with the exception of Sg Petani, which was won by Taufiq. – The Vibes, April 20, 2023