ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has slammed Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution in their ongoing spat about government secrets.
Sanusi said Saifuddin's claims that he revealed privileged information in his political speeches were "baseless".
"There hasn't been any leak in four years."
Yesterday, Saifuddin said he has not held a State Development Action Council meeting in Kedah for a year due to Sanusi's lack of decorum.
He said Sanusi would use information from meetings in his ceramahs which did not reflect the facts.
Sanusi today accused Saifuddin of "excessive enthusiasm" in his political maneuvering, including exploiting government information and misusing his position to tarnish the Kedah government's reputation.
"This excessive enthusiasm intensified, especially closer to the Kedah state election. He has also been sued for this excessive enthusiasm."
Last year, Sanusi filed a legal suit against Saifuddin over claims related to the theft of rare earth elements in the state.
Sanusi said the State Development Action Council meetings were crucial to expedite and streamline the implementation of federal-related projects in the state.
The State Development Action Council meeting is co-chaired by a federal minister and the menteri besar of a state. The power to call the meeting lies with the federal minister.
Sanusi said he has also attended various meetings involving other federal agencies and there was no issue of leaks.
"Perhaps he's ashamed to attend meetings together (with me)? I have attended meetings with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) repeatedly without any issues because we know what 'hats' we are wearing.
"He needs to admit that this is his issue, not mine," he said, adding he has even requested the Prime Minister to replace Saifuddin as co-chair with another federal minister.