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By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) September 2023
In the world of boring Malaysian politics, a seemingly simple gesture has become the talk of the town, creating a new buzz of excitement amongst the young, and its bearer, Datuk Seri Mohammad Sanusi Md Nor, the Menteri Besar of Kedah is riding high on a wave of popularity that has surpassed records set by Anwar's Reformasi movement of the 1980s.
A simple yet meaningful gesture of his right hand salute, mocking Anwar Ibrahim's own defiant act of 1980s, followed by a loud shouting of "Kita Lawan" repeated times and again at gatherings attended by tens of thousands everywhere he goes, Sanusi has given a new meaning to what "Reformasi" ought to feel like amongst his young audience who have labelled it "Refor-Nusi": a combination of reform and saNusi with a hypen.
Sanusi's distinctive and potent right-hand salute has evolved into his hallmark, a symbol of his burgeoning political ascendancy.
Cut out images of him with the wave dotted the Malay heartlands of Kedah during GE15.
Some are still standing tall in remote villages like Bukit Selambau or Jeniang not far from Sanusi's own birth place of Sik long after GE15 and the state elections.
The origins of this phenomenon trace back to a moment of jest, when Sanusi was playfully ribbed by PMX, who reminisced about a defiant act from 1998, wherein Anwar defiantly raised his arm in opposition to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, then the fourth prime minister.
Although PMX cautioned Sanusi against deploying this gesture in defiance of the Sultan, Sanusi boldly declared, he raises his hand to battle against Anwar Ibrahim and never against the royalty.
This act of defiance, seemingly simple in nature, has struck a resonant chord with Sanusi's ardent supporters, who have elevated it to a symbol of their own.
The realm of social media has been inundated with witty and cynical memes celebrating the iconic salute, spawning what his devoted adherents affectionately term the “Refor-Nusi”
In the recent elections across six states, this 'green wave' surged with momentum, as PAS-Bersatu secured numerous seats, including an impressive tally of 11 in Penang state assembly and 22 DUN of Selangor.
While the overall 3:3 status quo remained intact, Sanusi's popularity stands unmistakably on the ascent. After all, he is the election director of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Wherever he traverses, legions gather in throngs to bask in the wit and humour of this village-bred scion who openly challenges the government of Anwar Ibrahim. That act seems to irritate the government of the day to no end leading to his early arrest and charged over remarks made in enerst during an oversubscribed political campaign in pouring rain at a village in Selangor, a long way from his home base of Kedah.
In an era when Malaysians fervently yearn for a champion, the query naturally emerges: could Sanusi emerge as the hero they have been seeking?
Is he a modern-day messiah who could lead us to The Promised Land? Some even go to the extent of speculating that Sanusi could emerge as a successor to Hadi and might be a potential PM should PN manage to topple PH in GE16.
The allure of his salute transcends ethnic boundaries, transcending the quagmire of racial politics.
PAS, primarily a party steeped in Islamic principles, has metamorphosed into a champion of justice and equitable governance, echoing the ideals espoused by Islam.
The pivotal question that looms large is whether the 'Refor-Nusi' shall outshine the 'Reformasi.'
It looks like it just might, with the leader of the old Reformasi being seemingly eclipsed by an increasingly popular Refor-Nusi under the new wave leadership of Sanusi.
As we gaze towards the horizon, it becomes evident that Sanusi's salute has ushered in a new paradigm in Malaysian politics, one that traverses conventional delineations and could potentially herald the transformation Malaysians have been anticipating.
Only the inexorable passage of time will unveil whether this 'green wave' will sculpt the political panorama of Malaysia with Sanusi leading the charge.
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