KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition lawmaker Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah-PN) has claimed that Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu-GPS) is planning another reshuffle of Tourism Malaysia directors due to alleged non-performance.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mas Ermieyati cited rumours that Tiong is looking to appoint new directors on a contractual basis for Tourism Malaysia’s overseas offices.
“I’ve heard that the minister (Tiong) is still busy arranging for directorships in Tourism Malaysia’s overseas offices to be held by ‘outside people’ (orang luar) on a contractual basis.
“Allegedly, the existing Tourism Malaysia officers are not performing well, which is the same excuse used to change the Tourism Malaysia (former) director-general (Datuk Ammar Abd Ghapar),” the Bersatu lawmaker, who was formerly deputy tourism minister, said when debating the royal address.
She did not clarify who she meant by “outside people”.
She also questioned the basis for determining the supposed non-performance of Tourism Malaysia staff, urging the ministry to disclose the professional backgrounds and qualifications of appointed board members.
Tiong’s recent demotion of Ammar to Tourism Malaysia deputy secretary-general had incited controversy, with Mas Ermieyati accusing the minister of power abuse over the move.
In response to the backlash, Tiong clarified that Ammar was removed from office and demoted due to his non-performance, with the minister noting that the civil servant’s execution of his duties did not reflect his PhD qualification.
Ammar, who was appointed Tourism Malaysia director-general in April last year, said he was “sad and disappointed” over his demotion, especially since he had served the public service sector for 35 years.
Mas Ermieyati today also took Tiong to task over delays in appointing new heads for the ministry’s department directors in several states that have been vacant “for years now”.
“In Labuan, a director (for the ministry’s department there) has not been appointed for three years now. In Kedah, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, directors have not been appointed for over a year.
“This is a simple matter. Why is it taking so long to appoint directors?” she asked. – March 4, 2024