Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow terminates state exco Fahmi Zainol with immediate effect after he was charged with voluntarily causing hurt to his wife.

PETALING JAYA: Penang state executive councillor Fahmi Zainol (pic) has been removed from his position with immediate effect following a criminal charge of voluntarily causing hurt to his wife, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed today.

Fahmi, 35, who chaired the State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee, was informed of the termination in a meeting with Chow this morning.

“I met him this morning to inform him of this decision and he has received the decision,” Chow spoke to the media during a press conference held at his office in Komtar.

The move follows a proposal by PKR, the party Fahmi represents, in a letter signed by party secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh dated March 3, recommending his termination and replacement.

“I respect the decision of the party. They made the proposal and we make our decision based on it,” Chow said.

Chow confirmed that his replacement will also come from PKR, and that he would be presenting the name of the successor to Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib for approval later in the afternoon.

A formal announcement of the replacement’s name was expected to follow once approval was obtained. The incoming state exco member is expected to be sworn in before the end of this week, with any portfolio reshuffle to be announced at that time.

Fahmi, the first-term assemblyman for Pantai Jerejak, was charged on 27 February at the Balik Pulau Magistrate’s Court with voluntarily causing hurt to his wife. He claimed trial to the charge, was granted bail of RM2,000 with one surety, and the case has been fixed for mention on April 28.

At the press conference, Chow was also asked whether similar action would be taken against Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is currently assisting a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into alleged abuse of power involving the use of zakat funds to purchase land.

Chow drew a clear distinction between the two cases.

“There is a difference as one is just an investigation and one has been charged,” he said, adding that PKR had likely taken into account the fact that Fahmi had already been brought before the court, unlike Mohamad who remains at the investigation stage.

 The Sun Malaysia