KUALA LUMPUR – I am saddened and disappointed that my long career in the civil service ended just like that, said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Ammar Abd Ghapar amid speculation over his sudden “demotion”.
He also said the news of his removal as director-general came as a shock as he has been in the service for 36 years.
“I’m sad, disappointed because this is the end of my service as a civil servant. 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,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
“Maybe there are things that the minister had asked to do, but he is not a civil servant, he might not understand (the procedures).”
He said as a career civil servant, he has carried out his duty according to procedure.
His tenure as director-general ends on February 24. He will start serving as Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general of planning on Monday.
Ammar’s removal made the headlines after a letter on his role went viral on February 22.
As for his new role, he said many would see it as a demotion from a director-general to a deputy.
“According to the letter, I’m no longer director-general come February 24. The minister has appointed another.”
It was reported that Ammar’s removal could be due to him not seeing eye-to-eye with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Scoop has reached out to Tiong for comment.
This has led the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) to urge Tiong and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain Ammar’s termination.
MTF secretary-general Sri Ganesh Michiel said the termination letter sparked significant inquiries within the board and among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Bersatu’s Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin expressed deep concern over the alleged abuse of power by Tiong in the matter.
She said the recent termination of Ammar’s contract, without clear justification, was disconcerting, given his significant contributions as a prominent figure and his standing as an asset to the country’s tourism sector.
Mas Ermieyati, 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