PENANG, 23 April 2009: Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin claimed that his name has been cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after he was alleged to have been involved in a corruption case pertaining to a quarry recently.
He claimed that he was informed of the clearance by an official from the MACC yesterday afternoon.
“I was informed that my name has been cleared and that the case has been resolved. I am glad that I have eventually been cleared,” he said when contacted by Bernama last night.
However, MACC officials could not be contacted for confirmation.
On 21 March, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that Mohamad Fairus had resigned as deputy chief minister i and executive councillor effective 8 April.
On 16 April, Mohamad Fairus, 33, resigned as the state assemblyperson for Penanti, saying that he wanted to pursue post-graduate studies. — Bernama
Pawley Rosetta says
And how prepared is Umno for the by-elections?
Pawley Rosetta says
And see how the EC is dragging its feet on the matter.
This is what happens when the courts decided that its not the Speaker of the elected assembly who decides if a vacancy exists in the law-making forum and instead gives that responsibility to the Elections Commission.
Another “Malaysia Boleh” decree, which outshines the separation of powers concept existing in other Commonwealth democracies like India.
Oops … talking about Indian examples is taboo?
Sorry. We love only “developed” country examples and are very proud to associate like that, for many years.
Is it hoping that Fairus will spring a surprise by giving another letter direct to the EC saying that he has not resigned but wishes to remain independent?
The evil forces are still hopeful that they can get Fairus to say such things, which actually can be the misconstrued news that the government-linked press loves to do. Even Dr M said something to the effect on a related Penanti matter.
Remember, the PM cast the first die by saying that the by-election is not a good idea and that BN may not contest?
All he needed was to say this famous quote and the campaign masters and schemers have started to work towards meeting the objective.
Anyway, read the following two articles to know more on how the EC is dragging on.
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1ST DECISION
EC meets on 22 April on Penanti vacancy
PUTRAJAYA, 17 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) will meet on 22 April to determine the vacancy of the Penanti state assembly seat and the need for a by-election.
EC Chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, when contacted today, said the commission would announce on 24 April the status of the state assembly seat and the date for the by-election if a vacancy occurred.
He said the Penang Election Director had received a notice of the vacancy for the seat from the Penang state assembly speaker today and the notice had been faxed to the EC Headquarters this morning.
The incumbent state assemblyperson, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who was also the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, had announced his resignation as the Penanti assemblyperson yesterday.
Mohammad Fairus, 32, said the decision was made to enable him to concentrate fully on his post-graduate study besides clearing his name following the various allegations against him. He is currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) for alleged malpractices involving a quarry, and resigned as the Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and chairperson of the State Committee on Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Information and Community Relations effective 8 April.
Abdul Aziz said the original notice of vacancy and the resignation letter as Penanti state assemblyperson would be brought to the EC Headquarters, here on 20 April.
He said the EC needed time to study in detail the vacancy and all aspects on the by-election before making an announcement.
He said the meeting on 22 April would also look into ways of avoiding too many party supporters acting as canvassers on polling day.
“The last by-elections had shown that too many canvassers had posed problems such as harassing the voters and causing traffic congestion at the polling centres,” he said. — Bernama
THE UPDATE TODAY
EC: Status of Penanti seat on 27 April
PUTRAJAYA, 22 April 2009: Election Commission (EC) chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof will announce the status of the Penanti state seat on 27 April.
Public relations officer Sabri Said said Abdul Aziz would make the announcement at a media conference at EC headquarters here on 27 April at 10am.
“The media conference has been switched from Friday to Monday. EC which met today discussed the status of the Penanti state seat in Penang,” he said in a statement here today.
Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) resigned as Penanti state assemblyman on 16 April.
Fairus who was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had also resigned as Penang Deputy Chief Minister I. — Bernama