Fairus: ” I will be back!”
by Kong See Hoh (The Sun)
PENANG (March 22, 2009) : Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin(pix), who resigned as Penang Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, said he is a victim of a conspiracy within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and would strike back once he has gathered enough evidence against the plotters.
Mohammad Fairus told Nanyang Siang Pau on Thursday he was victimised by people from within PKR and denied allegations that the Mercedes Benz and BMW he owns were bought with cash.
On Saturday, after resigning from the No. 2 post in the state, he revealed to Nanyang the identity of the main conspirator and said he was gathering evidence.
Mohammad Fairus, whose whereabouts remain a mystery, said once he has enough evidence he would appear in the public to clear his name, name the conspirators, and return to Penang to launch a counter-attack.
He said although those who have conspired against him are heavyweights in Penang PKR, some grassroots and colleagues are rallying behind him to help him though this difficult time.
The Penanti assemblyman, who also told the daily in an sms on Saturday night that he was "not locked up somewhere", said he would not appear in the public for now for fear the incident would be turned into an issue by the Barisan Nasional in the coming by-elections.
"I cannot come out (from hiding)! This is not the time to come out to make clarifications, the BN will turn it into an election issue," he told the daily by phone.
He said although he was misunderstood and there were false accusations against him, he was willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the party and the various races in the state.
He also urged the daily's reporter to convey to the public the message that he is fine and that he is innocent.
"Please tell everyone that I have spoken to you through the phone. Tell them I am innocent. For (the sake proving) my innocence, I will be back! You must help me," he said.
Earlier, there had been allegations that he was being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over illegal quarrying activities in the state.
He said his decision to step down is not an admission of guilt, but was an arrangement that would best please the "public".
"I have said that I will put the interest of the party and the people above all else, this (stepping down) will be the best decision. I have no choice, resigning should be the best solution."
Mohammad Fairus, who holds two Masters degrees, said he would go for further studies but declined to elaborate when asked when and where he do so.
Although PKR publicity chief Tian Chua said Mohammad Fairus has taken leave to to go to Mecca, he is believed to be in Kuala Lumpur.
He said he would maintain contact with only people he can trust in the next few days..
"I will contact you again, and others, but not through this (Mohammad Fairus' handphone) number," he told the daily.
