TAPAH: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor becomes a Chingay performer campaigning for the Ayer Kuning by-election.

The political campaign by him was converted into a cross-culture performance, where he showed off his skill holding a giant flag like an experienced Chingay performer.

Chingay is a traditional parade performance in Malaysia and Singapore. It involves acrobatic displays, particularly flag balancing and tossing, and has evolved from a religious ritual to a multicultural celebration.

The word “Chingay” itself is believed to have been derived from Hokkien, either meaning “very skilled” or “true art.”

Sanusi drew cheers and applause from the crowd of around 200 as he focused intensely, using his forehead, elbows, and shoulders to support the large flag during the performance.

Sanusi led the Perikatan Nasional (PN) flag team, carrying two PN flags and one national flag, traveling straight from Kedah to Sungai Kurau where a political talk was scheduled at 9 pm Thursday to campaign for the Ayer Kuning by-election.

It is a three-cornered fight where Yusri Bakir from Barisan Nasional, Abd Muhaimin Malek from PN, and KS Bawani from Parti Sosialis Malaysia are vying for the seat, which fell vacant following the death of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22.

In a brief interview with Sin Chew Daily, Sanusi, catching his breath, revealed that he only began practicing the night before and had trained only for two hours.

He described it as a traditional game that relies on physical strength and balance—a great form of exercise that makes one sweat quickly.

“There are many traditional games in both Malay and Chinese communities. I hope we won’t create issues or conflicts through cross-cultural interaction,” he said.

Sanusi admitted that he would continue practicing the flag performance and even organize a flag competition in Kedah.

“This is a great workout! I was already drenched in sweat after a short while.”

Sanusi shared a post in Malay and Chinese on his official Facebook page, along with a one-minute video of his flag training.

The caption read: “In life, we must try everything, as long as we don’t make mistakes. Practice, and more practice. Over time, we’ll gradually master it.”

“We previously tried the sport of kabaddi, and now we’re trying the flag performance. I’ve never performed with flags before. This is just the beginning of an attempt,” he said.

Sanusi’s Chinese affairs officer Kuan Kok Siang said the Menteri Besar was guided by a Chingay team to practice at his official residence.

Kuan said Kedah state executive councilors and other special affairs officers also joined in the training session to prepare for the performance in support of the campaign in Ayer Kuning.

“The Menteri Besar is very talented. After the captain explained the techniques and details of the flag performance, he grasped it immediately and was able to perform the basic moves right away,” he said.

During the practice session, the Menteri Besar could be seen mastering the basic moves of the flag performance, including pushing the flagpole upward with one hand, lifting the flag with the forehead, shoulder and arm.