ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has brushed off criticism that he exploited history to score political mileage.

Instead, Sanusi claimed that he was merely pushing for the historical facts distorted by the British colonial over 200 years ago, to be corrected.

"Actually, history had been exploited since the British occupation, during the Francis Light time. They had exploited the situation for their interest.

"What I have been saying all these years was meant to correct the distorted history which had been exploited. It must be corrected," he told a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting at Wisma Darul Aman here this evening.

Sanusi said his struggle to correct the distorted history was in line with Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah decree on Sunday in conjunction with the Ruler's 81st birthday anniversary celebration.

"I applaud the Sultan of Kedah decree. His Royal Highness has made it clear of his wishes and concerns on historical matters. What I had mentioned before is in line with the Sultan's wishes.

"I think nobody should be anxious or worried with the decree because it was the truth and correct," he said.

In his speech, Sultan Sallehuddin had stressed that the formation of Malaysia did not act as the turning point which permitted the state history which had existed for so long to be erased.

He added that the fact that Penang was a leased state should be explained based on facts and without prejudice.

As such, Sultan Sallehuddin said it would be unfair for the voice of the people in Kedah to be silenced, particularly on matters pertaining to history and the sovereignty of the state.

Commenting further, Sanusi said the calls to revisit the alleged distorted history was not meant to pick up a fight with any party.

"It should be corrected by the younger generation who have access to knowledge and have the initiative to study to correct the wrongs.

"This must be done, otherwise we will forever be living in a framework that was set by those who had vested interest over the past 200 years ago.

"I think that is wrong. For as long as we have the courage, the knowledge and determination to have a better living we should pursue the cause.

"If there was a distortion of history, can we afford to live with the distorted history forever? I can't live with that. If there are people who can live in distorted history and comfortable with that, it is up to them because they have vested interest in the distortion.

"We have an interest to correct the distortion and the correction will be done based on research, not simply based on whims and fancy," he said.

Sanusi also brushed off claims by history expert Prof Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam that the leasing of Penang was null and void following the Federation of Malaya signed between the Malay Rulers and a British representative Sir Edward Gent.

"She is the only one saying that. She was also born in the system that has been distorted. I am not sure what she had studied for her PhD," he said.

Sanusi stressed that he would uphold and materialise the Sultan of Kedah's decree based on the presentation of facts without prejudice to any party.

It was reported that Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional leaders in Kedah had taken Sanusi to task for allegedly exploiting the history of Kedah and Penang for his political interest.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/922794/sanusi-i-am-not-exploiting-history-i-am-correcting-200-years-distorted