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Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Arif Shah at PKR’s Aidiladha feast

By Yeng Ai Chun, The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah has set tongues wagging again after he was spotted at an Aidiladha kenduri (feast) organised by PKR here.

The Umno assemblyman was leaving the kenduri at Permatang Rawa near here when Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived with his entourage.

Also present was Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, the man Arif Shah was rumoured to replace.

After exchanging smiles, both Anwar and Arif Shah shook hands.

When Arif Shah was asked to pose with Anwar for a picture, he declined saying that he was rushing to another kenduri.

”This is just a coincidence and not a planned meeting. I am just meeting up with my constituents,” he said.

Arif Shah explained that the chairman of the Permatang Rawa surau had invited him to the kenduri and he had no idea that the event was organised by PKR.

Asked if PKR was reaching out to Arif Shah, the PKR de facto leader said the party would reach out to the entire community.

He added that it was good of Arif Shah to come and it was the first time he was meeting Arif Shah after the Permatang Pauh by-election.

It has been rumoured that Arif Shah was being wooed by PKR to replace Mohammad Fairus as deputy Chief Minister but Anwar has denied that.

Earlier this month, Umno sacked former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for attending events organised by opposition parties.

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