Former tourism DG lucky to be demoted, says Kinabatangan MP

Bung Moktar speaking during the parliamentary sitting on March 5, 2024. Screenshot taken from a livestream by Parliamen Malaysia on YouTube
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By Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, March 6: Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin backs Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing’s decision to demote Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar from Tourism Malaysia director-general (DG) to deputy director-general.

In a parliamentary sitting yesterday (March 5), Bung Moktar said that it is the minister’s duty to effectively manage the ministry to ensure comprehensive reporting to the government, adding that any officials who fail to meet expectations should be replaced.

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“He is lucky to be demoted because if it were me, I would have chucked him into some unknown corner,” said Bung Moktar, referring to the recent demotion of Tourism DG Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar to deputy DG.

In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding bak kut teh’s inclusion as one of Malaysia’s heritage dishes, Bung Moktar suggested that the ministry should make a public announcement clarifying that the dish is not exclusively crafted with pork.

“I don’t understand why there would be an argument about food. Sarawak already has halal bak kut teh, so why don’t we promote that?” he said. — DayakDaily

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