Excessive for Sanusi to take on 8 portfolios, says Puad

“Can Sanusi focus on the numerous tasks at hand? Don’t forget that, because he was so occupied previously, he was unaware about the rare earths theft (in Kedah) as the chairman of Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI Kedah)”

(FMT) – An Umno leader has criticised Sanusi Nor for taking on eight portfolios in the Kedah executive council, saying the menteri besar should have delegated more of the duties to his exco members.

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi told FMT that Sanusi’s duties should be to set the state’s course and policies, describing it as excessive for him to chair eight committees.

“Sanusi should be focusing on two important portfolios, namely land resources and finance. These portfolios are important so he can control the state’s direction and policies.

“Can Sanusi focus on the numerous tasks at hand? Don’t forget that, because he was so occupied previously, he was unaware about the rare earths theft (in Kedah) as the chairman of Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI Kedah),” he said.

Puad asked Sanusi if his decision to take on eight portfolios was because he did not want to give Bersatu another position in the state government.

He said this reflected Sanusi’s failure to delegate duties and could also restrict diversity of ideas in the executive council.

Sanusi, who is also the Jeneri assemblyman, heads the committees for state planning; mineral and geoscience; land resources; finance; state-linked companies; State Economic Action Council; development; and external relations.

There are nine others in the executive council he leads, with five from PAS, three from Bersatu and one from Gerakan.

Kedah Bersatu was reportedly dissatisfied with being given only three exco posts compared to five in the previous state administration.

However, Kedah Bersatu chief Suhaimi Abdullah said yesterday that “all is well” and that the matter has been resolved.