By Mariam Mokhtar

Is the aggressive stance of Mumammad Sanusi Md Nor, the menteri besar of Kedah, an indication that GE15 is closer than we have been led to believe?

Are his increasingly racist and religious rhetoric, his attack on some independent newspapers and most of all, his bully-boy tactics, designed to lay the groundwork for GE15?

Sanusi has demolished Hindu temples and threatened to dam the Muda River to deny 1.7 million Penangites access to water.

In contrast, he has appealed to the Malay community with talk about mining for rare earths.

He said, "This mineral is Allah's gift to us in Kedah. Such a find would change the lives of our people forever."

He claimed that Kedah would benefit by RM62 billion.

Jaseni Maidinsa, CEO of the Penang water supply board (PBAPP) spoke out against the mining of rare earths upstream as this would jeopardize the water supply to Kedah, Perlis and Penang.

It is doubtful that Sanusi is aware of the social, health and environmental consequences of this large-scale mining project. He is prepared to put wealth before health.

Sanusi is appealing to his supporters and ratcheting up various issues, using language that he knows will gain notice among the conservatives, the nationalists and the extremists.

We are aware that at Bersatu's annual general assembly last November, Muhyiddin Yassin, its president, hinted that GE15 would be held after the coronavirus pandemic had ended.

The discovery of a vaccine will now make all the difference. It is possible that those in Muhyiddin's inner circle have been told to prepare for GE15.

Muhyiddin knows that the pandemic has caused a downturn in the economy, as more people are jobless, mental health issues are increasing, more businesses have shut and the people aren't just suffering, they are restless.

If GE15 were to happen much later, these negative effects will translate into the rakyat's anger with PN. That is why Muhyiddin needs to act fast.

The Budget was approved yesterday, albeit with a three-man majority. This will give Muhyiddin a false sense of security to make GE15 happen sooner rather than later.

This is probably why Umno-Baru felt it was necessary to move into Perak quickly. The party, which enjoyed domination for 63 years, did not want to be left out of the corridors of power.

In the past, PAS politicians were not taken seriously by Umno-Baru, but they now feel empowered after Muhyiddin rewarded them with crucial posts in government and GLCs.

Having tasted power, they are not going to give in easily.

Kedah's Sanusi is one such person. But it appears that in Perak, the new menteri besar Saarani Mohamad is also appealing to the Malay electorate.

Saarani dismissed the need to appoint Chinese and Indian executive councilors in his administration because the two communities were already represented in other agencies.

Doesn't it make most of us wonder why we had Merdeka in the first place, when all the major races came together to demand independence for Malaya?

Back to Kedah, when one listens to Sanusi's increasingly arrogant language, one wonders if he thinks he is leader of a separate sovereign nation not part of multiracial Malaysia.

He had previously demolished Hindu temples in the state just to show his power, then claimed that the temples were not built according to the law.

Last week, he threatened to dam Muda River if the government of Penang, did not bow to his demand for a payment of RM50 million because the source of the island's water was in Kedah. He followed this with another warning that he would divert the river.

Is it Islamic to deny the 4.2 million northerners from Penang, Kedah and Perlis, many of whom are Muslims, access to water?

Why is Sanusi acting with hostility towards another state in Malaysia? Are we not part of the same nation?

Can you imagine what would happen if the Perak state government were to use a similar aggressive tone against Pahang.

The two main roads which lead to The Cameron Highlands start in Tapah or Simpang Pulai in Perak. Should the government of Perak start charging the government of Pahang for access to Cameron Highlands or demolish the roads?

Tourists, vegetable farmers, flower growers and ordinary people including government servants use these two arterial roads. There is a dirt track which leads to Cameron Highlands from Gua Musang in Kelantan.

Apart from some individuals and opposition politicians, few other leaders from academia, the corporate world, or VIPs, have bothered to censure Sanusi for his divisive comments and threats.

Keeping quiet will embolden the Kedah MB because he will wrongly believe that most people agree with him. Criticizing him should help put him in his place.

The groundwork for GE15 is being laid. Be prepared. Make sure you are registered to vote, and vote wisely.

Source:

1. MalaysiaKini: Kedah MB hits out at Penang water company over Ulu Muda comment

2. YouTube: Kedah MB wants MalaysiaKini reporters to repent

3. MalaysiaKini: Kedah MB says temple demolition carried out according to law

4. Free Malaysia Today: Kedah MB broke his promise on temple demolition, says Saravanan

5. Free Malaysia Today: Sanusi defends Kedah's right to explore for rare earth elements

6. New Straits Times: KL-based company to tap Kedah's RM62bil worth of rare earth elements

7. MalaysiaKini: Kedah MB: 1985 agreement doesn't entitle Penang to free water supply forever

8. MalaysiaKini: Rare earth project will endanger water supply – Penang water chief

9. Free Malaysia Today: Early GE15 if we win Sabah polls, says Muhyiddin

10. The Edge Markets: Muhyiddin: Relations among PN parties to be strengthened for GE15

11. Malay Mail: Tok Mat hails PM Muhyiddin's intention to hold GE15 post-Covid-19

12. Free Malaysia Today: No need for Chinese, Indian excos, says Perak MB

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)