Fairus blames Umno jealousy

BUTTERWORTH: Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin yesterday rebutted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's charge that he had gone "missing" since the general election.

Fairus instead blamed Umno members for making the allegations. He said: "I believe the allegations were created by Umno members who are jealous of me as I am the youngest deputy chief minister in Penang history."

On Sunday, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Anwar publicly reprimanded Fairus for not making his presence felt in his Penanti state constituency. Penanti is one of three state seats in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

Anwar, who is now a member of parliament for Permatang Pauh, was speaking at a breakfast gathering with PKR Wanita members.

"I was unhappy when people told me that they have not seen Fairus since he won in the March 8 elections," he said, advising Fairus to mend his ways and go to the ground.

Fairus, who was seated next to Anwar, remained quiet when he was given the tongue-lashing.

Yesterday, Fairus said he had been conducting charitable and welfare activities in Penanti since March.

He dismissed the allegations as unfair as he himself had heard about complaints that the former elected representative also did not visit the area often.

"No one made an issue out of it then, so why now?" he said when contacted by the New Straits Times.

On Anwar's advice to him to visit the area more often, Fairus said he had explained his side of the story to Anwar and the latter was satisfied with his explanation.

"I am not a politician out to seek cheap publicity for my visits to the constituency and the activities I attend to. That is why there are not many reports on my work."

Fairus, 32, who is also the state PKR information bureau vice-chairman, said his constituents should give him time to resolve their problems.

"I am only five months into my job. As one of the two deputy chief ministers, there is a lot for me to do at the state level.

"Let's not forget that we did a lot of work in preparing for the Permatang Pauh by-election."

Fairus said he did not mind the voters voicing their grievances against him "but the complaints should be reasonable".

NST online
02/09/08