After receiving flak, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has apologised for his insensitive remark about “body containers” being available for anyone who is interested.
“I would like to apologise for the joke I made yesterday which went viral (and) it was taken out of context,” he said while acknowledging that the remark could have come across as rude.
Sanusi said he wanted to apologise because the remark had offended and rubbed some people the wrong way.
He said the joke was meant for journalists who were covering his press conference yesterday.
“I would like to explain that I was just joking with my journalist brothers and sisters who are part of my family. They know my character,” he said today.
He said it was his luck that it was caught on camera.
He added that he received several messages on the issue and is taking it in his stride.
The PAS man courted flak from netizens and politicians for his “the body containers are sufficient and whoever wants to get in can give their names” remark.
Sanusi is no stranger to public gaffes, with his more recent fiasco being photos and videos of him allegedly test-driving a Ford Raptor at the time when the country was under a full lockdown due to the pandemic and vehicle sales centres were not allowed to operate.
Following that, the police conducted an investigation in accordance with Section 269 of the Penal Code and Regulation 17 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Areas of Infection) Regulations 2021, and Sanusi was fined RM1,500 for the violation.
Last month, he said the Kedah government will not be sending help to anyone who raises the white flag to ask for help to get through the Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown.
He also claimed the use of the white flag was merely political propaganda to further nail the notion that the government has failed them.
Last December, Sanusi evoked the ire of many with his racially charged comments.
He accused MIC and DAP leaders of allegedly fanning racial and religious sentiments in response to their criticisms of Kedah’s demolition of the Sri Madurai Veeran Hindu temple in Alor Setar.
Sanusi then called them incoherent and drunk, asking them not to appear “drunk on two to three bottles after only consuming one”, adding they were “drunk on the toddy of popularity” and desired to become “champions of race”.
In another incident in March this year, he drew criticism for saying that the Penang government will have to pay Kedah for raw water supply.