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LAST week, Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN), Chairman Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, criticised the Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, accusing him of misusing government agencies and funds for political campaigning in Padang Serai and Kulim.
Sanusi, who is also the Kedah Chief Minister and PN’s Central Election Director, argued that using government machinery for personal or political gain is inappropriate and contradicts the principles of mature politics.
He further claimed that Saifuddin, who has frequently visited Kulim in recent months, has led locals to nickname the area the “Home Ministry of Kulim.”
Responding to the allegations, Saifuddin, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Kedah State Action Council and Chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Kedah, urged all parties to refrain from suspicion, particularly during Ramadan, a time meant for increased devotion and charitable acts.
“Oh, let Sanusi be. This Ramadan, we should focus on doing more acts of worship and not dwell on suspicions about me.
“Besides, he is a capable Chief Minister leading Kedah,” Saifuddin told reporters after attending the Nuzul al-Quran 1447H celebration in Kampung Guar Lobak, Padang Serai, on Thursday evening.
Saifuddin added that the Quran distribution programme he had organised should not be politicised, emphasising that its purpose was to benefit the community.
“If people think the programme is politically motivated, there is nothing to it,” he said, reiterating that the initiative was purely for public benefit.
Separately, the Home Ministr reported that 56,946 units of Quranic texts and materials were confiscated last year in enforcement actions under the Printing of Quranic Texts Act 1986, the Minister of Home Affairs said.
Saifuddin explained that the seizures followed inspections of 12,048 premises nationwide conducted by the Ministry’s Enforcement and Control Division.
“The operations also led to the opening of 302 investigation papers, with enforcement actions valued at RM1,983,151,” he added.
Saifuddin noted that throughout 2025, 1,050 final proof certifications covering printed mushafs, digital materials, and audio recordings were approved to ensure that only authentic and certified Quranic texts were available in the market.
“In the same period, we inspected 12,048 premises, seized 56,946 units of Quranic texts and materials, and opened 302 investigation papers,” he said.
The Home Minister made the remarks during the Nuzul al-Quran 1447H celebration at Kampung Guar Lobak, Padang Serai, Kedah.
He said these measures reflect the ministry’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the sanctity, authenticity, and integrity of Quranic texts.
To strengthen oversight, the ministry has enforced the use of mandatory hologram security stickers since 2010, ensuring that every physical copy or written manuscript of the Quran in circulation has undergone verification.
“These hologram stickers are crucial so the public can be confident that the Quranic texts available in the market are officially certified by the Home Ministry,” he said. - March 7, 2026