
Today’s victory reinforces PN’s grip over the northern state, where it had previously held 20 of the 36 seats.
Sanusi, who is the outgoing menteri besar, held the Jeneri seat for a second term after beating Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim of Umno and is expected to be sworn in as menteri besar in the coming days.
Former Malaysian international footballer Baddrol Bakhtiar won in Gurun, in his maiden election outing, defeating Firdaus Johari of Pakatan Harapan. Firdaus is the son of Kedah PKR veteran Johari Abdul, who is Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.
PH won just three seats – Pantai Sidam, Bakar Arang and Kota Darul Aman – while its ally Barisan Nasional failed to win a single one.
Kedah PH chief Mahfuz Omar lost the contest for Alor Mengkudu in a straight fight with PN’s Radhi Mat Din, another former footballer.