“Please ask the minister why we were fired” – Idham, Eizlan
KUALA LUMPUR: Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri and Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof admitted that they were shocked by the action of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah to terminate their services as Cultural Secretaries and Creative Consultants at the Foreign Ministry.
In fact, Ahmad Idham and Eizlan were also confused and wondered what was the reason why their services were terminated.
“We do not know why we were fired. Just in case, you can get a letter informing us that our service has been stopped.
“Maybe media friends can please ask the minister why we were fired because we no longer have access to the minister after being fired,” said Ahmad Idham in an online press conference on Friday.
The press conference was also attended by Eizlan who agreed with Ahmad Idham that they were not informed in advance of the Foreign Minister’s decision to take such action.
On Thursday, Saifuddin told Sinar Daily that the services of Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri and Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof, respectively as Cultural Secretaries and Creative Consultants at the Foreign Ministry, had been terminated.
However, Saifuddin declined to comment on the reason for the termination of their contracts.
Earlier, the media reported that the appointment of Ahmad Idham and Eizlan was in line with the objective of developing Cultural Diplomacy under the Malaysian Foreign Policy Framework on November 1, last year.
Ahmad Idham was previously the Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas).
Meanwhile, according to Ahmad Idham, through a letter received on February 28, his and Eizlan’s services were terminated for 24 hours effective February 23.
Ahmad Idham said it was not to disrespect or question the Foreign Minister’s decision, on the contrary, what was a question mark for him was that the action was made without following the correct manner and ethics.
Having previously served in government agencies, Ahmad Idham said, to the best of his knowledge, before an officer or staff member is fired, a reprimand or warning letter should be issued first.
“I used to sit in government agencies, I am aware of government procedures, but (in his and Eizlan’s case) that did not happen.
“Just to know that on that date (February 28) I received a letter of termination of service,” he said.
As for Eizlan, the action taken by Saifuddin against him and his friend is not very ‘gentleman’. As a minister, Saifuddin, Eizlan said, had various ways that could be made to inform about the action to terminate his and Ahmad Idham’s services.
“This action is not a gentleman from the minister, he (the minister) can just call to discuss properly.
“After all, in my case, I only made contributions to the government, without receiving any salary, and even spent my own money to serve in the Foreign Ministry.
“We respect the minister’s decision, only the error was not called for discussion. I can honestly say that we don’t know why we were fired, ”said Eizlan.
During the press conference, Ahmad Idham also drew attention to the allegation that he and Eizlan were ‘lobbying’ to be candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Ahmad Idham said that the allegation was merely to fight him and Saifuddin.
“If I want to enter good politics, I will meet Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,” Ahmad Idham replied briefly, while admitting that he was a member of the United Malaysian Indigenous Party (Bersatu) led by Muhyiddin.
Understanding their current position as no longer part of the civil service or more precisely no longer senior officials in the Foreign Ministry, Ahmad Idham and Eizlan said they were ready to return the diplomatic passports previously offered.
“Of course we will return the diplomatic passport to the government,” said Ahmad Idham and was agreed by Eizlan.
source – Astro Awani
