Former deputy minister Fauzi joins PKR

Former Deputy Minister Mr Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman joins PKR

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy information minister and former Kuantan MP Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman has joined PKR.

The announcement was made by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at party headquarters yesterday.

Anwar also disclosed that former Kota Setar MP and Umno division chief Dr Abdul Hadi Derani and former Mentakab Umno deputy division chief Datuk Mat Lazim Derani were joining PKR.

Fauzi, a former Kuantan Umno division chief who retired from active politics five years ago, said he had “rested for too long” and was ready to play an active role in PKR.

Asked why he was only making his stand now when he was out of the Government, and not back in 1998 when Anwar was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and he was still a deputy minister, Fauzi insisted that he did make his stand then.

He said then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had called up ministers, deputies and parliamentary secretaries and asked them to say that they believed the sacked Deputy Prime Minister was a sodomite.

“I was the odd one out. I was the only one who said I won’t do it,” he said.

Fauzi has known Anwar since 1964 during their school days.

Anwar also said that Pakatan Rakyat was still “very much on track” to take over the Government from Barisan Nasional by Sept 16.

Anwar said he was in the process of discussions with DAP, PAS and PKR leaders on the possibility of an “imminent” by-election.

He said he was looking at the possibility of contesting the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentary seat currently held by Zulfikli Noordin of PKR.

Anwar maintained that he had the necessary number of Barisan MPs needed to cross over to topple the Federal Government.