Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has reiterated that his recent strong remarks on gambling were aimed at those defending the industry, and not Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Sanusi said he felt the need to clarify his position after his comments were interpreted differently by some quarters, stressing that his criticism was specifically directed at gambling tycoons.
“I targeted the gambling tycoons. I did not target ustaz, religious leaders or the prime minister. I targeted the gambling tycoons.
“Have the courage to speak the truth. They are harsh words, but they are true,” he said.
He was speaking at the Generasi Pewaris Sejahtera Negeri Kedah 2026 convention yesterday, where he also noted that the gambling issue had generated extensive public discussion.
Sanusi urged people to seek out the original source of information rather than relying on interpretations or comments from other parties when assessing what he had actually said.
He also stressed that he would continue to use his position as Kedah Menteri Besar to voice his views and take action within the authority available to him.
“I have the authority to act, so I take action at my level. I have the space to speak, so I speak,” he said.
Sanusi has faced criticism from opponents who accused him of making remarks that appeared to wish harm on the Prime Minister in connection with the gambling issue.
However, he has maintained that his comments were directed at individuals who sponsored legal action challenging the Kedah government’s ban on lottery operations in the state.
The Federal Court had previously dismissed Kedah’s appeal concerning the state’s attempt to stop gaming licence operations, making the issue a continuing point of political and public debate.
Sanusi’s latest clarification appears aimed at drawing a clear line between his criticism of the gambling industry and the Prime Minister, while reaffirming his position against gambling activities in the state.
