Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor (; ; born 4 August 1974 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 (1949–15 August 2024). 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 expelled from school twice, once from SMS Sultan Mohamad Jiwa and also 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 was easily bullied by fellow schoolmates due to his poor socio-economic 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. 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

Honours