PKR not replacing Fairus as DCM

PKR is not replacing its embattled state deputy chief minister Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin, party

MCPX

de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said today.

“We're not replacing him or anyone in the Pakatan government,” he told newsmen after attending a local futsal tournament in Seberang Jaya, Penang.

The PKR supremo was responding to a report in a blog claiming that a delegation of several former staff from Fairus’ office have met and urged Anwar to sack him from the Penang government and replace him with someone more competent.

“Anyone can meet me and air their views and opinions. But that does not mean I agree with them. There is not going to be any changes,” he said when asked whether Fairus would be replaced.

Anwar’s assurance is a timely boost to the embattled Mohamad Fairus, who has been a target for several blogs, believed to be tacitly supported by several state PKR leaders.

The blogs have attacked Fairus constantly with various allegations of under-performance since he assumed office as Penang DCM after the March general election.

Two weeks ago, Anwar gave Fairus and his rival Abdul Malik a stern tongue lashing to end their quarrel and learn to work together for the betterment of the party and state government.

PKR state chief Mohd Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, the Bayan Baru MP, is said to be backing Abdul Malik in this power tussle within the fledgling Pakatan state government.

Memo For All Three PKR Councillors

A recent posting in a blog also alleged that Mohammad Fairus had refused to meet and received a memorandum from a five-man delegation from state PKR youth movement. It is said that the memorandum was a call on Fairus to resign gracefully from his position as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s number two.

However, when contacted, the movement's acting chief Ong Chin Wen rubbished the portal mail, and denied that the youth wing has called on Fairus to step down.

He revealed that it was a general memorandum meant for all three PKR executive councillors in the state government.

Besides Penanti assemblyperson Fairus, Abdul Malik Abul Kassim (Batu Maung) and Law Choo Kiang (Bukit Tambun) are other two executive councillors.

According to Ong, the memorandum highlighted on areas for improvement and brought up several outstanding contentious issues to the attention of the PKR executive councillors.

The memorandum also urged the trio to involve PKR youth leaders in their administration's decision-making process and policy implementation.

“We never called on Fairus or anyone to resign and make way for others,” he pointed out.