PENANG, 9 April 2009: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he hoped Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can nominate a candidate from the party for the post of Deputy Chief Minister 1 (DCM1) within a week.
The candidate would replace Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who resigned effective yesterday.
Lim said although all the state executive council members and the 28 state assemblypersons from Pakatan Rakyat had agreed that as the chief minister, he had the prerogative to appoint the deputy, he would still give Anwar time to look for a suitable candidate from the PKR.
“Although the state government and the Pakatan Rakyat feel it is time to appoint the new Deputy Chief Minister 1, Anwar had asked for a little time. I hope the matter can be cleared by Anwar within a week,” he told reporters at his office here today.
He said a Malay Malaysian from the PKR would be appointed as the DCM1 and there was no need for him to appoint someone to act for the post in the meantime, as the candidate would be nominated within a week.
When asked on the possibility of Mohammad Fairus vacating the Penanti seat, Lim asked reporters to refer the matter to Anwar himself.
“It’s better that the question be directed at Anwar because he was always in contact with Mohammad Fairus,” said Lim. — Bernama
