New Kedah MB clocks in, says will follow former boss' advice

A sense of nostalgia swept over newly minted Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor as he stepped into his office today at Wisma Darul Aman after clocking in for duty at 8.36am.

For Sanusi (above), who was appointed as MB yesterday replacing embattled Mukhriz Mahathir, this is his second stint in the office as he was previously here as the political secretary to deceased Azizan Abu Bakar, the former MB from PAS.

Azizan, who was then Sungai Limau assemblyperson, held the post for five years and two months before his death due to diabetes complications in September 2013.

"This room is familiar to me, although I am sitting at a different side now. This is a place where we discussed serious issues about the rakyat and the development of the state," Sanusi said after clocking in.

"I treasure the memories I had working here for ustaz Azizan. I feel I can do it (work as MB), to do the best for Kedah," he told reporters today.

Asked for his comment on his first day as MB, Sanusi repeated the advice from Azizan, and said: "Berkerja di waktu singkat, dan berehat di waktu panjang (work for a short time and rest long).

"The short time is what we have on earth (dunia), the long rest is in the ever after (akhirat). This is where the ustaz worked long hours and hard, without any rest, for this is where people work, not a place of privilege, to seek wealth or personal disadvantages.

"This is where people work, think and sacrifice for the public, and not for self, this is what ustaz did, and I will do the same."

Sanusi, 46, also announced Afnan Hamimi, PAS national vice-chief, the son of deceased Baling MP Taib Azamudden, as his political secretary.

Mohamad Mat Yakim, a media lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia, has been appointed as his press secretary.

Sanusi became the MB after toppling Mukhriz with 23 assemblypersons, including PKR (2) and Bersatu (4), switching sides to support Perikatan Nasional and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Yesterday, during his maiden speech after being sworn-in as MB, Sanusi said he planned to address Kedah's position as one of the poorest states in the country.

"This requires us to take drastic steps to boost the people's economy at various levels," he had said.

"To this end, a jihadist programme to eradicate poverty involving indigenous and orphans will be formulated in partnership with the Kedah Zakat Authority.

"This will not only focus on Muslims, the state executive councillor, who is responsible for the portfolio of non-Muslim affairs who will be appointed in the next few days, will also commit to eradicating poverty through more effective programmes," he stressed.

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