Penanti - Yet another by-election!

theSun: Fairus resigns as Penanti assemblyman; Another by-election imminent
Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN (April 16, 2009) : Former Penang deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin yesterday resigned as Penanti state assemblyman, confirming weeks of speculation that a by-election for the Penanti state seat was likely.

In a press statement, Mohammad Fairus, 33, said he took this step to resign as a state representative to protect the interest of his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Bernama: PKR Wants To Find Deputy CM In Penanti
KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the Penanti state by-election in Penang is just an avenue for the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to find a candidate for the post of Penang Deputy Chief Minister I.

I think it's no longer a secret that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is filled with bunch of underqualified and low quality wakil rakyats. That a by-election is needed just for the sake of getting a new Deputy Chief Minister 1. That none of the two PKR elected representatives are deemed good enough to be promoted as Penang Deputy Chief. If not why does it took so long for Anwar to decide between only two of their Wakil Rakyat, Abdul Malik Kassim and Maktar Shapee?

First was the corruption scandal involving the two PKR frogs in Perak; Jamaluddin Mat Radzi and Osman Jailu. Next, the former Kedah state Exco, V. Arumugam, who quit amidst allegation of a marriage scandal and latest is the resignation of Fairus Khairuddin as DCM1 and ADUN of Penanti. In simple words; PKR is not only the weakest link in Pakatan Rakyat, but also the main cause of our never ending political instability. Heheh.

With all these scandals surrounding PKR, Anwar still has the time to talk about forming a shadow cabinet. Franky, the shadow cabinet plan is a laughable news. It is just a political gimmick. If Pakatan Rakyat is really sincere and capable enough as the so-called 'government-in-waiting, then the shadow cabinet should've been formed last year. As a comparison, the Barisan Nasional opposition in Selangor was quick to form their own shadow cabinet immediately after the 12th general election.

Still, It would be interesting to see the distribution of cabinet posts between PAS, PKR and DAP and who among their leaders to be appointed to the shadow cabinet, if ever, that is going to happen soon. And it's pretty likely that Anwar will again be the dominating factor in choosing the members of the shadow cabinet.

Til then, let's wait for the upcoming Penanti by-election. Nothing much to shout about as it is a foregone conclusion that PKR will win the seat and that the winner will be appointed as the new DCM1.