KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has alleged that there is a concerted effort to remove him from the National Finance Council (NFC), after previously claiming but failing to prove that he was banned from attending federal government-organised events.

In his latest statement, the PAS leader claimed that there was a push to have Kedah State Secretary Datuk Norizan Khazali replace him in the NFC, Berita Harian reported last night.

"I am talking about this before it happens and I cannot allow it to happen. If people ask for proof, there is none because the movement has not become reality,” Sanusi was quoted as telling reporters after a Kedah buka puasa event in Shah Alam, Selangor yesterday.

He said any effort to remove him from the council — which is chaired by the prime minister and consists of other Cabinet members and heads of state governments — is against the NFC convention.

The council is established under Article 108 of the Federal Constitution, which states that the NFC shall consist of the prime minister, such other ministers as the PM designates, and one representative from each of the states who is appointed by the respective Ruler or governor.

According to Sanusi, the attempt to remove him from the NFC is due to his criticism of the federal government and his purported lobbying of the Kedah Ruler Sultan Badlishah for the same purpose.

Sanusi had last month accused the Anwar administration of barring him from attending federal government-organised events such as the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in May.

But Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi later denied any attempt to bar Sanusi from federal events, saying there were no official letters or circulars as purported.