Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today said that he approved his deputy Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin’s leave application following a request from Opposition Leader and PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim.

mohammad fairus penang deputy cm deny resign 160708 01 "I was informed by Anwar that Fairus ( right ) wanted leave, so I approved his application," he told reporters in Penang.

He said this when asked to comment on speculation that Fairus was sacked as deputy chief minister I.

He said that Fairus was on leave up to the end of this week.

Yesterday, Lim said that there was no reason given for Fairus' leave. The Penang CM had also declined to comment on Fairus' whereabouts.

Lim reiterated today that he had no plans to appoint a new deputy and that Fairus would be back to work on Monday.

"He took one week leave and should be back on Monday unless he applies for an extension," he said.

However, Lim's clarification today on Anwar’s role in letting Fairus go on leave will generate more talks on the immediate future of the deputy chief minister.

Yesterday when asked to comment on Fairus’ future, Anwar had said that Fairus had informed him that he was taking a few days off from work, without giving any reason.

“I've asked him to join me in Bukit Gantang tomorrow (Friday), together with other Pakatan leaders from Kedah and Penang.

“He apologised and said he would not be able to as he would be on leave,” said Anwar.

He also said that the leave matter was under the purview of Lim.

NST banned by state government

Fairus has come under pressure following several complaints from his PKR colleagues over his under-performance as the deputy chief minister.

He has also been blighted by accusations of corrupt practices.

It was also learnt that Fairus had been told to quit by Anwar as a result of all the bad press he has been getting. However the timing of the resignation is only expected to take place after the by-elections on April 7.

On another matter, Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy told reporters in Penang that the state exco has decided to bar the New Straits Times from covering its functions and press conferences beginning today.

He said this was because the daily had allegedly published libellous reports on the state government.