# Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor (Jawi: محمد سنوسي بن مد نور; Malay pronunciation:; born 4 August 1974) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the 14th Menteri Besar of Kedah since May 2020 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 to May 2020.
His tenure as Menteri Besar of Kedah has been characterised by a series of political gaffes and scandals, as well as strained relationships with the federal government and other state governments in Malaysia. A member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), he has been perceived as one of the key figures in the "Green Wave" phenomena.

## Early life and education

Muhammad Sanusi was born in Kampung Sungai Pauh, Sik, Kedah, Malaysia and he is the seventh child among 13 siblings from the marriage of Md Nor Taib (born 1942) and Meriam Ahmad (born 1949). 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. During his university years, he underwent the training as navy reserve officer cadet and commissioned in 1997.

## Early career

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

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 won the highest number of votes in the Central Working Committee (AJK) members election with 1,098 votes in the PAS party election 2023.

## Menteri Besar of Kedah

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. Sanusi sworn-in before the Sultan of Kedah, Sallehuddin on 17 May 2020.
During his tenure as the Menteri Besar of Kedah, he oversees many development and achievement in Kedah, including earned RM68.3 billion in 2021 and RM7.34 billion from investment in 2022; upgraded six Water Treatment Plants (Malay: Loji Rawatan Air or LRA) includes LRA Lubuk Buntar, LRA Bukit Selambau, LRA Sungai Limau, LRA Baling, LRA Jenun Baru and LRA Pelubang; 5,417 land title grants have been given to applicants who have been applying for decades; Kedah Rubber City (KRC) which has been in disrepair for a long time will be developed in the PN era with a total of RM2.2 billion and many more.

## Involvement in navy

Muhammad Sanusi became the first politician in Malaysia to receive the military ranks of First Admiral in 2021 from the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).

## Controversies and issues

Muhammad Sanusi courted many controversies during his term as the Menteri Besar of Kedah since 2020 that have made him a polarizing figure in Malaysia. This includes rare-earth metal (REE) deposits, threats to cut Penang's water supply, accusations of racism, his comments on the Thaipusam holiday in Kedah, a COVID-19 corpse joke, an obscene speech in Penang, accusations of revanchism in relation to Penang, and controversial remarks about the appointment of the Menteri Besar of Selangor by the state's Sultan.

## Personal life

Sanusi married his first wife, a school teacher, in February 1999. In 2024, he confirmed that he had taken a second wife, a policewoman. He has five children by his first wife.
Sanusi currently resides in Seri Mentaloon, Alor Setar, Kedah.
In 2023, he released his own biography book, titled Pegunan Perjalanan Hidup: Dinding Sekeping Adik Seorang, and this book was launched by President of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Abdul Hadi Awang.

## Election results

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% |
| 2018 | N24 Jeneri | Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (PAS) | 10,626 | 46.32% | Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (BERSATU) | 4,146 | 18.07% | 27,641 | 2,455 | 84.70% |
| 2023 | N24 Jeneri | 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

* Kedah :
** Member of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (AMK) (2010)
** Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (SPMK) – Dato' Seri (2021)