Penang PKR chairperson Zahrain Mohd Hashim today rubbished claims that he is lobbying for state executive councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim to be appointed as the deputy chief minister 1 (DCM1).

"Talks of me backing Abdul Malik for the position is pure media speculation to create rift among us.

penang pkr chief 030109 zahrain hassim "It's all nonsense and rubbish," an upset Bayan Baru parliamentarian Zahrain ( photo ) told Malaysiakini .

He insisted that he has no preferred choice to replace Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who resigned on April 8.

Zahrain also said that he had not lobbied to PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim to name PKR's Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik for the position.

"Neither I nor other state PKR leaders have submitted names to the PKR top leadership for the DCM1 post.

"No doubt Abdul Malik is a good friend of mine but that does not mean I have campaigned for him for the DCM1 post," he said.

Batu Maung state constituency comes under Bayan Baru parliamentary domain.

Zahrain said the state PKR leadership had given full mandate to Anwar and national party leadership to decide on who should fill the position.

He said state PKR leadership would welcome and work with anyone chosen by the top leadership.

"As far as we are concerned, whoever comes in will have to contribute effectively to the benefit of the party and people of Penang," he said.

No role in Fairus' resignation

As a state PKR leader, Zahrain pointed out that it would be political suicide for him to practise favouritism or give preferential treatment to some at the expense of other local leaders and members.

"As a father figure in the state PKR, I should treat all fairly. Otherwise, (the situation) would be chaotic and supporters would be angry with me," he said.

He stressed that like other state leaders, he too has no clue as to who Anwar will select to fill the positions of DCM1 and executive councillor.

Mohammad Fairus submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on March 21, when he became embroiled in a graft investigation linked to alleged illegal quarrying operations in mainland Penang. His resignation was effective April 8.

"Our party boss (Anwar) has not informed me or other leaders of his choices for both positions," said Zahrain.

He also denied that he was involved, or had any influence, in Mohammad Fairus' resignation, pointing out that the Penanti representative made his decision after discussions with Anwar.

Under the DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat state government, PKR has three slots for executive councillors. The DCM1 post, it is learnt, is reserved for a Malay elected representative from PKR.

Apart from Malik, the other PKR executive councillor is Bukit Tambun assemblyperson Law Choo Kiang. The third was Mohammad Fairus.

Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Maktar Shapee, 60, is being tipped as the likely candidate to fill the executive councillor's post.

As it stands, it is believed that Anwar has two options for the DCM1 post - Maktar and Abdul Malik, 54.

A former corporate figure, Abdul Malik is in charge of domestic trade and consumer affairs, and Islamic religious affairs, while Maktar is a former religious school headmaster.

However it is still unclear who will get the nod.

Abdul Malik uninterested?

At a press conference today, Lim said that the DCM1 post would remain vacant until Anwar comes up with a candidate. He however hoped for that to happen soon.

"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.

guan eng pc information freedom act 161208 abdul malik He had earlier given Anwar until today to submit the party's choice for the second top post in the state.

Abdul Malik ( photo ), meanwhile, seems to have ruled himself out of contention for the DCM1 post. He told journalists that he would prefer to remain only an executive councillor.

However he declined to comment when asked if that meant he is proposing Maktar.

He also disagreed that PKR's delay in appointing the DCM1 is disrupting state government operations.

"It proves that PKR is viewing the issue seriously," he countered.