Penangites are waiting impatiently, wanting to know the position of Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin as the Deputy Chief Minister (1) following two weeks of widespread speculation that Fairus has been told to quit by Datuk Seri Anwar Irahim.

Penang Gerakan secretary Ong Thean Lye said there appeared to be a ‘passing the buck’ between Anwar and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the issue.

“Lim had stated that he had not sacked Fairus while Anwar did not give a firm answer when asked by reporters on the status of Fairus. This gives the public the impression that neither Anwar nor Lim want to make a firm decision on the matter,” said Ong, who is also a Gerakan central committee member.

Ong said it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to appoint or sack the person holding the DCM’s post but the dragging of the issue seemed to suggest that Anwar is the ‘real’ boss.

“If the person is incompetent, he should be removed, otherwise this situation runs contrary to Lim’s CAT motto of Competency, Accountability and Transparency,” said Ong.

Newspapers reported yesterday that speculation on Fairus being sacked became rife after the state PKR committee dropped three state executive councilors from its line-up, including Fairus, who is the Penanti assemblyman.

The issue surfaced when the party started probing allegations by a member that two senior state party leaders were working with local quarry operators to cover up illegal activities.