KUALA LUMPUR: Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has quit PKR to join pssgm and umno.
Fairus, who is breaking his silence for the first time after quitting as Penanti assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister, said he had lost confidence in PKR leadership.
Fairus said the stance taken by PKR and Pakatan Rakyat over the Allah issue had prompted him to quit the party.
“I have been monitoring every article, announcement, and press statements on Allah issue.
“I am very saddened by the stance taken by Pakatan Rakyat leaders that is very loose, in that they cannot even defend something so basic. And that broke my patience,” he said
Fairus said after performing special prayers for three months to seek “God’s guidance”, he decided that finally, the time had come for him not to be associated with PKR anymore.
“I hereby announced that based on the principles of defending my religion and race, and the rakyat, I am joining Umno and Barisan Nasional,” he said at the Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia Association dinner at a hotel in Ampang Sunday night.
“Therefore, I’m out of PKR as I have lost confidence in the leadership,” he said.
Fairus quit as deputy CM I on April 8 last year and subsequently vacated the Penanti state seat on April 16, which led to a by-election.
He was cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in April last year as there was not enough evidence to prosecute him on alleged involvement in illegal quarry activities in Penang.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Fairus’ statement about his loss of confidence in PKR leadership indicated that the party had failed to defend principles regarded as fundamental by leaders like Fairus.
“Fairus is one of the senior leaders in Pakatan Rakyat and he has held a very important post.
“He believes that PKR has failed to defend the sanctity and honour of the religion. We will take care of this young man,” he said, adding that Umno wholeheartedly welcomed young leaders like Fairus.
At the function, Najib was honoured with the sandang mahkota agong seri pelangi sakti award.
Also present was Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
