'I am disappointed, what did I do wrong?' - Ammar

Ammar, King Sing – FILE PIX

SHAH ALAM – “I am disappointed, what did I do wrong?,” says Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) director-general Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar, expressing disappointment over his termination which will take effect on Feb 26.

He said the news of his termination was surprising to him as he had served for 36 years in the industry.

“Of course, I am sad and disappointed because this is the end of my service as a civil servant. I am an old-timer in this industry, with experience and qualifications.

“I don’t know what did I do wrong, but the minister has the answer to this,” he said when contacted, today.

Previously, it was reported that Ammar was alleged to have been terminated from service effective next Monday.

It is understood that this was due to him being ‘at odds’ with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

The termination letter which was dated Feb 22, 2024, went viral on social media.

Commenting on the cause of the termination, Ammar said as a long-serving government employee, he always performed his duties according to the correct procedures.

“Maybe there are some or certain things that the minister (Tiong) asked me to do this way or that way.

“However, we have to understand. The minister is not a civil servant. Sometimes he does not understand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ammar said he was informed that starting Monday, he would serve as deputy director-general (planning) of Tourism Malaysia.

“According to the letter, on Monday (Feb 26), I am no longer the director-general of Tourism Malaysia. The minister has appointed a new director-general.

“I would be assigned to the deputy director-general of planning position.

“People will see this situation as a demotion for me from director-general to deputy director-general,” he added.