KUALA LUMPUR, 23 March 2009: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who will resign as Penang Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) I on 8 April, wanted to focus on post-graduate studies.
“This is what he told me when he came to see me in my house. He said he had thought long and hard about it.
“He said with the many problems he had to think about, he felt that it (stepping down) was the right decision. That is the gist of what we discussed,”
Anwar told reporters when met at the launch of the Saya Pun Melayu and Kemilau Peribadi Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat books at the Tropicana Golf and Country Club in Petaling Jaya near here today.
The first was written by former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim while the second was authored by Abdul Shukur Haron and Annual Bakri Haron.
Anwar said Fairus was rather vague about an internal conspiracy in PKR to topple him as the DCM I, which many had speculated caused his resignation.
“He (Fairus) said the media was making exaggerations (about the conspiracy) and I told him knowing the media, he had to be careful about what he said.
“When I asked him if there were internal problems, he just said he wanted to do a post-graduate programme,” Anwar said, adding that Fairus then asked him to give some input on pursuing post-graduate studies.
He also said Fairus would remain as a PKR member and Penanti assemblyperson as he would have three free days a week while pursuing his studies.
Asked about the Opposition’s chances in the Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Bating Ai by-elections on 7 April, Anwar said: “We are confident but we are also realistic that we are facing the odds, we know Najib’s (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak) tactics. We have asked that our machinery be intact on the ground.” — Bernama
tengku mohd faizal says
I think DSAI should also follow suit, resign as Opposition Leader to focus on post-graduate studies as knowledge is a virtue. Then this Fairus can tell the media the same thing about Anwar as Anwar told the media about Fairus going for post-graduate studies…. Since when does a PR-elected rep need someone else to explain his decision?
Sunny says
Anwar still takes us for ride after ride… and he is convinced that the rakyat will still believe everything he spins? I think Fairus has been gagged by his own party.. why else would the party advisor be relegated as a spokesperson for a former DCM?
Why are PKR members who resigned barred from speaking to the press in person? Fairus has been gagged and the resigned Kedah exco is still “missing” from the public view. I think it’s their modus operandi… resign and disappear..