KUALA LUMPUR – Outgoing Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Ammar Abd Ghapar was removed from office and demoted due to his non-performance, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing amid criticism over his decision.
Tiong said he and his deputy, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, repeatedly conveyed their advice to Ammar and sought to obtain his feedback on how to better the country’s tourism industry.
“It’s like he has no ideas or doesn’t know what to do to improve the national tourism industry. If you don’t perform, then someone else has to step in,” he told the media at the sidelines of the National Craft Day launch, here today.
The minister also said that when Ammar’s predecessor retired, he was not “at the top of the list” of candidates put forth by the ministry to take up the post.
“(But), I gave him a chance because he has a PhD in tourism. However, his execution of his duties did not (demonstrate his qualification),” Tiong said, adding that several state government representatives had raised issues with Ammar’s lack of engagement.
“It (Ammar’s demotion) had nothing to do with racism. Since he could not perform, I demoted him to give other people a chance.”
Ammar, who was appointed Tourism Malaysia director-general in April last year, said he is “sad and disappointed” over his demotion to deputy director-general.
He also said his removal came as a shock as he has served with the ministry for 35 years.
“I am a veteran in this industry and I have experience and qualifications. I don’t know what I did wrong, but the minister has an answer to all of this.”
Ammar’s tenure as director-general ends today. He will start serving as Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general of planning on February 26 (Monday).
It was reported that Ammar’s removal could be due to him not seeing eye-to-eye with Tiong, causing the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) to urge the minister and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain Ammar’s termination as director-general.
Bersatu’s Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin also expressed deep concern over the alleged abuse of power by Tiong in the matter.
The lawmaker, who served as deputy tourism minister from 2015 to 2018, said she had previously collaborated with Ammar, adding that he had “demonstrated dedication and commitment to enhancing the country’s tourism”. – February 24, 2024