Fairus quits as Penang Deputy CM 1

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has resigned effective April 8, Chief Minister Lim Guan said.

Lim said Fairus also quit his position as state executive councillor but declined to disclose the reason to reporters at the press conference held in his office in Komtar Saturday morning.

However, later in Petaling Jaya, de factor PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told reporters that Fairus, who has two Masters degrees, had received offers for further stuidies and planned to take up one of those offers.

In the Penang press conference, Lim said he received a resignation letter from Mohammad Fairus this morning stating his intention of stepping down as both Deputy Chief Minister and state executive councillor.

"After discussions with him, PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and state party chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, I have decided to accept his resignation which will be effective from April 8," Lim said.

"As Mohammad Fairus is on leave and not in Penang, the letter was faxed this morning," he added.

He said Mohammad Fairus would stay on as the Penanti assemblyman.

When asked about the reasons for the resignation, Lim said it would be announced by Mohammad Fairus at a suitable time.

"Everything else will be announced later. I just got the letter this morning and so let us do the necessary transition.

"Let him answer at a time he sees fit," Lim said.

Asked whether the resignation had anything to do with state PKR’s internal investigations into allegations that two of their leaders were involved in illegal activities with quarry operators, Lim replied, "I do not want to comment on matters that are not in relation to what I am announcing."

Speculation was high about an announcement on Mohammad Fairus, Penang’s youngest Deputy Chief Minister at 33, who has been in the centre of controversy since the end of last year under allegations of under-performance, clashes with other PKR members and most recently, misuse of power.

It was announced on Friday that the double Masters degree holder had taken leave until the end of the week.

In the last-minute press conference Friday, which Lim conducted with Zahrain, Lim said Mohammad Fairus’ leave would be extended until his resignation took effect.

Meanwhile, Lim said Mohammad Fairus’ position as the state Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development, and Information and Community Relations Committee chairman would be left vacant for the time being.

"Any issues regarding his portfolio can be forwarded to his personal assistant or the Chief Minister’s Office and we will inform the necessary departments involved," Lim said.

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p/s ermmmmm...i don't like the speculations done by our TV3 news.. cant we just wait..