Sanusi v Sanusi – a case of class versus crass

[superadmin]

Intelligent, highly-educated, a man of books and very widely-read – those are words often used to describe Kedah menteri besar Sanusi.

A product of the Malay College, Kuala Kangsar, he was known for his brilliant mind and many achievements, both at federal and state levels.

Here are just some of his great qualities: fluent in German and Mandarin, and even Tamil, besides English and Bahasa Malaysia, of course.


Besides MCKK, he studied at the Institute of Bankers London, City of London College and the Institute of Export, London, besides getting his certificate in Foreign Trade and Foreign Exchange at the University of London.

I am, of course, talking about the late Sanusi Junid, the man who was menteri besar between 1996 and 1999.

He is the man credited with starting the International Book Village in Langkawi in an attempt to get the islanders to read more (or should that be: more islanders to read).

He was so into books that he practically turned his house into a library. Any photograph of Sanusi in his office would have the backdrop of more books.

When he spoke, people listened. He always knew what he was talking about and he had plenty of stories to tell.

Many who knew him tell of his love for Malaysia’s diversity and how he felt all ethnic minorities must be proud of their heritage, just as he was of his Acehnese roots.


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