Citing ‘facts’, Sanusi says non-Muslims top list in offering, taking bribes

Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor asserted that he was speaking the truth and that it was based on facts, but it is unclear if he provided the source of his information.

KUALA LUMPUR — Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has claimed that more non-Muslims get arrested for offering and receiving bribes compared to Muslims.

The PAS politician and caretaker Kedah menteri besar asserted that he was speaking the truth and that it was based on facts, but it is unclear if he provided the source of his information.

He also claimed it was the DAP that started the non-Muslim versus Muslim debate by alleging that there were Malay leaders involved in corruption.

He added that this led PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to correct the narrative by saying that the non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera are the cause of corruption in Malaysia.

“I agree with Tok Guru. As long as I am right, I will speak. Go look at the records of people arrested for offering and receiving bribes, there are many who are non-Muslims. That is a fact and true,” he said in last night’s Keluar Sekejap podcast with hosts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.

He recalled the DAP pushing a narrative last year through a series of statements alleging that “Malay leaders are corrupt. All these Malay leaders cannot be trusted”.

“They say it is better to have a good non-Muslim than a Muslim leader who is not good because of corruption. But when you look at the facts, many who were arrested were non-Muslims,” Muhammad Sanusi said.

He was also asked about PN’s strategy to win over non-Malay voters in the upcoming state elections and replied that the coalition will focus on harmonious politics.

Muhammad Sanusi said that having a line-up of good Malay and Muslim candidates would garner PN the non-Muslim and non-Malay votes.

“PN still brings a harmonious politics. I think when Malaysia votes, if we are not influenced by extreme politics, scaring non-Muslims to Islam and to Muslim figures who are portrayed as extreme. Chinese and Indians can still support PN without any problem.

“But that’s the background of Malaysian politics. If you want to win Malay votes then you need to have a Malay candidate and if you want to win Chinese votes then you have to go and look for Chinese candidates. That’s the political division based on race in Malaysia that we can’t avoid.

“I think people have more faith in good Muslim Malays, who do not cause any controversy. They are not cruel. This is what we offer,” he said. MALAY MAIL

DAP sec-gen challenges Sanusi to back claim non-Muslims main source of corruption in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook today challenged caretaker Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to prove his claims that non-Muslims are the source of corruption in Malaysia.

Loke said Sanusi’s comments could incite racial hatred and demanded that the latter apologise if he cannot substantiate those claims.

“I challenge Sanusi to back up his claim that non-Muslims are the biggest facilitators of corruption. This is such an irresponsible and dangerous statement coming from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) election chairman.

“Such sweeping statements incite racial hatred. So where are the facts then? How did he come to that conclusion?

“Why don’t you prove it? And if you can’t, you should apologise publicly. Corruption does not recognise colour or race. A crime is a crime,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday during a live telecast event, Sanusi claimed that most sources of corruption originated from non-Muslims. MM

PM Anwar gives final warning to those playing up 3R issues

Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to reporters after chairing the Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur July 11, 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a final warning to all parties to not exploit issues touching on race, religion and the royal institution (3R) which can split the country.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would monitor the situation without exception.

“This is the final warning from the government as I, as prime minister, have no choice due to insistence from thinkers and to protect national security. This supersedes interests.

“Certain people feel they are too high up and great so they cannot possibly be charged or challenged.

“The country cannot be like this; we cannot consider and choose based on rank, descent or wealth,” he told reporters after chairing the Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur last night.

The prime minister said the country would not remain stable if desperate parties were allowed to continue to do whatever they pleased to preserve their authority or to seek new spheres of influence. — Bernama

MALAY MAIL / BERNAMA