Sanusi's absence from ceramah event triggers rumours of another arrest

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's absence from a ceramah event tonight triggered speculation that the vocal Perikatan Nasional leader might have been arrested a second time in the wake of attacks against him by top government leaders.

Sanusi however dispelled the rumours, while a party man told those attending the ceramah in Padang Serai, where Sanusi was listed among the speakers, that he had to stay out of the event due to security reasons.

Astro Awani earlier quoted a source as saying that Sanusi had been arrested by Bukit Aman police, although no reason was stated.

But Sanusi instead appeared in a live interview tonight hosted by political commenator Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Sir Azri, on his nightly live show broadcast on TikTok and YouTube.

"It's not correct," Sanusi said when asked about the rumours of his arrest.

The popular politician has hogged the headlines in recent days over speeches lambasting Anwar Ibrahim as well as accusations linking him to the theft of rare earth resources in Kedah, which he rebutted with a series of revelations targeting the prime minister.

Sanusi was controvesially arrested last month by scores of policemen who descended upon the apartment where he was staying after meeting with PN leaders in Kuala Lumpur. He was later charged with sedition over a speech in which he mocked the appointment of Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Sanusi has since upped his attacks against the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance, with speeches attracting millions of views daily on social media and video platforms.

Sanusi, the Jeneri assemblyman, became Kedah menteri besar in 2020 after the collapse of the previous PH government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

He currently serves as PN's election director, and has embarked on several ambitious projects under the battle cry of "Greater Kedah", vowing last month to see through the construction of the Kedah International Airport, on which the state government has so far spent RM30 million.