The much-anticipated announcement by the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on who would be the new deputy chief minister (1) did not materialise today.

Lim said that the post would remain vacant until PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim finalises his candidate for the post.

Lim said the delay would also allow Anwar to resolve internal party issues first.

mohammad fairus penang deputy cm deny resign 160708 02 The post became vacant following the resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin on April 8.

"Anwar is unable to accede to my request to make recommendation to fill in the empty exco seat and the appointment of a new DCM1.

"While I am disappointed with the delay, I fully understand the various political pressures that Anwar is facing in recommending appointments to these positions," he said in a statement today.

He added that although he as the chief minister had the prerogative to appoint someone as the exco member and as the deputy chief minister, he believed in consulting and waiting for Anwar to recommend someone from PKR.

He said the public were curious as to the delay taken by Anwar in naming his nominee.

However he said that as an experienced political leader, Anwar knew that the people were puzzled over the difficulty in selecting a replacement to Mohamed Fairus.

The people are puzzled

Lim said that following Anwar's indication earlier that the replacement must be Malay, many questions have been asked by the people, such as:

  • Why was the exco position not filled by Maktar Shapee, the Sungai Bakap representative who is the only Malay PKR state representative available for the position?

  • Why the delay in choosing either Maktar or exco member Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim as the deputy chief minister - the only two Malay state representatives from PKR, apart from Mohammad Fairus?

  • Is the delay caused by Anwar to prepare for a by-election in Penanti, whose present state representative was Mohammad Fairus?

"I am confident that Anwar will answer and explain fully all questions after he had decided on who he wants to recommend to be appointed," added Lim.

Two potential candidates

He also said that until the DCM and exco posts were filled, he and the other remaining exco members would be looking over the various portfolios held by Mohammad Fairus.

Earlier this week, Lim said he would be making the announcement today. He also urged Anwar to name him a candidate quickly to avoid any unwanted speculations.

Anwar is believed to be looking at two candidates for the post - Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik and Sungai Bakap state assemblyperson Maktar.

Abdul Malik is also a sitting executive councillor but Maktar looks set to replace Mohammad Fairus in the exco.

Rumours in PKR circles on the alleged involvement of Abdul Malik, who is currently in charge of state domestic trade and consumer affairs, and Islamic religious affairs, in the ousting of Mohammad Fairus could be the reason for Anwar's delay.

Moreover, although PKR Tanjung division chief Abdul Malik is being backed by a top state PKR leader, many party division leaders in Penang appear not to favour him.