ALOR STAR: Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has candidly acknowledged that he was 'wounded' while absorbing attacks from opponents during the state election campaign to protect all Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates.
However, the Perikatan Nasional election director said he had to play it cool throughout the two weeks campaign despite 'suffering bleedings' from the attacks.
"All the PH and BN leaders, both in the state and nationwide, directed their efforts at Kedah.
They chose Kedah as the battleground for the state election. As a leader at the national and state levels, I felt it was crucial to remain composed in order to keep all candidates calm," Sanusi stated.
"All the PH and BN leaders in the state and nationwide trained their cannons at Kedah. They chose Kedah as the battleground for the state election.
"As the general at the national and state level, I felt it was crucial to remain composed in order to keep all candidates calm.
"I absorbed all the attacks so that all the fellow candidates were spared from the shots. Some of were still grazed by the shots and some of the shots slightly hit the other states.
"I would be lying if I say I was not bleeding. Indeed I was bleeding but Alhamdulllah all the strengths were from Allah," Sanusi said in his appreciation speech during a gathering with PN candidates and supporters at the state Pas Complex here late yesterday.
Sanusi added that despite the relentless attacks by PH leadership led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Rafizi Ramli alongside Barisan Nasional under Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, they were unable to suppress the rise of the people of Kedah.
The Jeneri assemblyman called for support from PN leadership and the people to face the next battle after the conclusion of the state polls.
"I need the support and courage of all of you to continue battling the remaining challenges arising from the state elections, including court cases and legal suits worth hundreds of millions," he said in jest.
"But I will not simply surrender. Whatever lies ahead, we will confront them with unwavering faith, united with all Kedahans," he added.
In yesterday's 15th State Election, PN secured 33 out of 36 state seats, landing the Pas-led coalition a two-thirds majority in the state legislative assembly.
PH and BN only managed to secure victory in three racially mixed seats: Kota Darul Aman, Bakar Arang and Sidam.
In a disastrous outing, key leaders from the pact, such as state BN chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, state PH chairman Datuk Seri Mahfuz Omar, state DAP chairman Tan Kok Yew and state Amanah chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh were defeated in the seats they contested.
Sanusi has also extended his utmost gratitude to sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah for guiding him in executing his duty as the menteri besar for the past three years.
He also thanked all the voters in Jeneri and Kedah at large for the support, in particular Kedahans who returned from overseas on their own expenses to exercise their democratic rights.
Sanusi described the thumping victory as the bold signal from Kedahans that they are riling behind the PN state government's Greater Kedah aspiration.
"We will march forward regardless of whatever hurdles that await us. We will hand over to future generations a state that is safe for a dignified and integrity-driven community, immune to oppression.
"We will show them that Kedah Darul Aman is a people who can't be forced to yield to anyone. We belong to a lineage of fighters, and no one has the right to determine our destiny.
"We set our own course, how far we'll go; no one has the authority to push us back," he he said as the crowd responded with loud cheers.
Before concluding his speech, Sanusi gave his word that the PN state government would be fair to the opposition representatives and all Kedahans.
"To our friends from PH and BN, we promise that we will not oppress anyone. We will be fair and compassionate as ordered by Allah and the Prophet Muhammad's teachings, Islam will be our guidance in governing," he said.