PENANG, 22 March 2009: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is leaving it to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to clarify outgoing Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s claim that he was the victim of an internal conspiracy.
Lim said he would not comment on the claim by his deputy because it was a PKR domestic matter.
“It is better to ask Anwar. I do not want to clarify the matter because it is a PKR internal matter,” he told reporters here today.
Lim had announced yesterday that Mohammad Fairus was resigning as deputy chief minister I and state executive councillor effective April 8 but that he would remain as state assemblyperson for Penanti and as a PKR member.
News reports today quoted Mohammad Fairus as claiming that he was a victim of an internal conspiracy.
Asked why Mohammad Fairus was resigning, Lim said Mohammad Fairus himself should be allowed to state the reason.
“We will allow Mohammad Fairus himself to explain the reason for his resignation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang PKR liaison chairperson Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim expressed shock over Mohammad Fairus’ claim of an internal conspiracy.
“All this while, I had defended him when he faced various allegations,” he said.
He said any clarification over the resignation of Mohammad Fairus should be referred to Anwar. — Bernama
