Watch what you say, PAS spiritual leader tells Sanusi
Hashim Jasin’s reprimand follows claims that the Kedah menteri besar had insulted the Selangor sultan.
PETALING JAYA: PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has told Sanusi Nor to be mindful when making speeches and avoid controversial statements that touch on race, religion and royalty (3R).
“Sanusi, or any other leader for that matter, should compose themselves better,” he told FMT.
He admitted that Sanusi could be a “little blunt”, but said speeches that touched on certain sensitivities were difficult to avoid when elections were around the corner.
“When we are on the stage, it can be difficult (to censor ourselves) and these issues crop up.”
Earlier, there were claims that the Perikatan Nasional election director had insulted the sultan of Selangor at a ceramah.
Sanusi had reportedly drawn a comparison between the Kedah and Selangor sultans, and said the Kedah ruler would not have appointed Amirudin Shari as the menteri besar.
Police are currently probing Sanusi for offences related to the 3R.
Last Monday, Sanusi, who is also the Kedah menteri besar, sparked controversy in the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast claiming that non-Muslims were arrested the most for giving and receiving bribes. FMT
Kedah BN chief calls for political maturity ahead of state polls
ALOR SETAR — In the run-up to elections in Kedah and five other states, a Barisan Nasional (BN) leader has called on all party leaders and supporters to exercise political maturity.
Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said party leaders hold the responsibility to ensure a political atmosphere free of intense hatred that can undermine harmony in the country.
“We want to see political maturity. Leaders in the government and opposition must have the wisdom (to shun extremism). The politics of extremism will lead to the destruction of the nation. There will be no peace,” he told a press conference here today.
The Kedah police today received two reports of damage to billboards believed to have been put up ahead of the state elections. Kedah Police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the reports stated the incidents occurred in Kubang Pasu and Kulim.
Mahdzir, who is also the Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman, said party leaders play an important role in ensuring that their supporters act rationally.
“Don’t allow supporters to go to the extreme. Leaders must show the way. We are in 2023. People are talking of artificial intelligence … of a digital world, and we are resorting to politics of extremism. That’s out of sync,” he said.
Mahdzir also said that more than 30 per cent of the BN candidates in Kedah for the state elections are new faces.
“We have taken into account all factors that can bring us victory. Most importantly, the candidate must be a person that the people like. And, the party likes him or her, too,” he said.
Mahdzir said he is confident of the cooperation between the BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties, adding that there is compatibility at the grassroots. — Bernama
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