Don: Will Sanusi apologise for 'toddy', 'pot-bellied deity' remarks?

Academic Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is waiting for Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to apologise for his remarks in connection with the demolition of a Hindu temple in his state and for insulting Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Tiong King Sing.

As for him seeking forgiveness from Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the professor of architecture dismissed it as a desperate attempt to save his political career after being charged with sedition.

Tajuddin said there is nothing to be glorified about the firebrand politician’s act of repentance.

“Sanusi (above) apologised to the sultan because he feared imprisonment and the end of his career. The case is an open-and-shut one.

“If Sanusi’s act is noble, then I am still waiting for him to apologise to the Indian Malaysian community for his ‘drunk on toddy’ statement.

“I am still waiting for Sanusi to apologise to Tiong and the Chinese community for calling him a pot-bellied bald deity,” he told Malaysiakini.

Without mincing words, Tajuddin described the PAS leader as a “bully”.

“And bullies will always crumble to a greater force like the sultan but they tower over others called citizens,” he added.

‘Don’t get emotional’

On Wednesday, Sanusi sent a letter of apology to Sultan Sharafuddin over his remarks, which landed him in court, during a speech campaigning in the state election in Selangor in 2023.

Yesterday, the ruler said he forgave the menteri besar “in the name of Muslim brotherhood and the Malay race” but advised him not to be “too emotional” and refrain from making inappropriate remarks.

In late 2020, Sanusi, amid the temple demolition row, had suggested that his critics from MIC and DAP were “drunk on the toddy of popularity” and advised them not to act as if they were “drunk on three bottles” after consuming only one bottle.

This courted flak from both MIC and DAP leaders, including Lim Kit Siang, who said Sanusi was not qualified to lead a multiracial state.

As for his insult against Tiong, this stemmed from an altercation between the pair after Sanusi accused the minister in 2023 of not providing any feedback during their meeting with representatives from the Thai government in Sadao, Southern Thailand.

Sanusi also claimed that Tiong did not have a face which attracted tourists.

Pahang PAS urges Madani leaders to emulate Sanusi's humility

Sultan 'informed' of Sanusi's apology, letter published in full

PAS fails to control quality of leaders and MBs, claims Perlis delegate

'I am not ready to be PM, find someone else' - Sanusi