KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar is now refusing to talk about his demotion from Tourism Malaysia director-general to deputy director-general.
Contacted by Berita Harian today, he refused to give any comment about the matter for the time being, but thanked the media for trying to get a hold of him.
"Give me some time and space, let this blow over first," he said in a brief reply.
Yesterday, the media reported that Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had said Ammar had been demoted to deputy director-general due to non-performance issues.
He had denied that Ammar had been fired.
This followed claims by Ammar himself that he had received a letter stating that he was no longer the director-general of Tourism Malaysia.
Tiong had said that Ammar's weaknesses had caused many quarters, including the management of state tourism boards, to complain to his ministry.
He had also claimed that Ammar had failed to come up with new destinations for tourists and also failed to increase tourist arrivals.
It is understood that the ministry had appointed Tourism Malaysia senior director for international promotions (Asia and Africa) P. Manoharan, who had been acting director-general (planning) to replace Ammar.