Kedah Chief Minister Sanusi Md Nor made remarks on July 8 during a ceramah in Jempol, Negri Sembilan, stating that Malays have no other homeland besides Malaysia, while Chinese have China and Indians have India [1, 2, 3]. The comments sparked controversy and a 40-year-old man filed a police report at Bandar Seri Jempol station on July 9, prompting an official investigation [1].
The police are probing the case under Section 505 of the Penal Code, concerning statements conducive to public mischief, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act [1]. Sanusi has denied any wrongdoing, claiming his remarks were factual and historic but were twisted for political gain. He threatened legal action and said he would lodge a counter police report to set the record straight, warning against distorting the facts [2]. "I only stated facts. Anyone trying to manipulate this issue for political capital will be sued," he said [2].
The remarks drew criticism from senior political figures. Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said Sanusi’s rhetoric implied non-Malays have another homeland, which is misleading and potentially divisive [4]. She emphasized that Malaysia is the shared homeland for all citizens regardless of ethnicity. "The reality is that for millions of Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent, Malaysia is not a place of transit. Malaysia is their homeland. The Federal Constitution guarantees the legitimate rights and status of every citizen regardless of their ancestry," Azalina said [4].
Kota Kemuning assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan also condemned the remarks, saying they undermine Malaysian identity and create false perceptions about loyalties. "Chinese Malaysians are not guests. Indian Malaysians are not outsiders. They are Malaysians who were born, raised, built their lives, and contributed to this country," he said [3].
The dispute highlights differing interpretations of Sanusi’s comments, with him asserting they are factual and opponents viewing them as divisive and undermining equal citizenship [2, 4, 3]. The police inquiry into the report remains ongoing.
