KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Newly sworn-in Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Nor reportedly said he has forgiven his critics and is now ready to "start a new chapter” with the federal government.

The Jeneri assemblyman said that there might have been some offensive statements during the recent campaigning period but that he hoped it could be put behind them as he prepares to fulfil his election pledges to the state.

"I am now ready for a new chapter. If they are ready, thank God. But if they are still holding grudges, then I don’t know,” Utusan Malaysia reported him saying after his swearing-in ceremony at the state Istana in Kedah yesterday.

"But in matters of government administration, you can’t be taking things to heart. There are procedures to follow, so we cannot let personal feelings get in the way,” he said.

Sanusi also said he "forgives” Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and others who have "continuously attacked” him, saying he hopes they can start afresh now that the campaigning period is over.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had linked Sanusi to illegal rare earth elements mining activities in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, Sik, and warned Sanusi to brace himself for a court reckoning once the police and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission have completed their investigations on the matter.

"On my end, I have been attacked back-to-back, continuously non-stop, front, back, top, bottom, left, right, with all kinds of accusations. I forgive them all,” he said at the Kedah PAS headquarters last night.

"On behalf of PN’s election machinery, I apologise to all Kedahans and other states who might be offended by our campaign. Some were unintentional, some were forced, some were provoked and some we were too hurt to bear. So we let it out so you know how we felt,” he said.

Sanusi said that it was not right to harp on the losses or take it out on Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar, state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid or state Amanah chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh.

He also reminded PN state assemblymen not to be tempted to enrich themselves through projects and money politics.

The appointment of Kedah's 10 executive councillors is expected to be made this week, with several personalities to be retained.

Sanusi was reappointed the Kedah menteri besar yesterday after PN won 33 of the 36 state seats in the August 12 polls. He retained his Jeneri seat by a 16,050-vote majority over Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Muhammad Khizri Abu Kassim.