SIBU: Only competent people will be taken in when the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry is restructured – and this includes agencies under it, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing
“I am serious about restructuring the entire ministry, including the agencies under the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry,” the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said on Friday night.
Tiong said the restructuring exercise was warranted as what was weak or lacking within the ministry needed to be modified and strengthened.
“This requires the involvement of all parties working together to fulfil the trust for the betterment of the country,” he said in his speech, which was read by his deputy Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, at the ministry’s Ngiling Bidai ceremony.
The Bintulu MP stressed that ample space and opportunities would be given to anyone eligible and committed to helping enhance the ministry.
Tiong said that although positions within the ministry or its agencies are open to the public, the ministry will prioritise qualified personnel.
“For instance, the director-general of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), where I have given the opportunity to Datuk Dr Ammar Abdul Ghapar because I believe he is capable of carrying out this responsibility well and taking Tourism Malaysia to a higher level,” he said.
“I believe he will rise to the challenge and shoulder this responsibility to the best of his abilities. However, if he fails, we will make a change and give the opportunity to someone else.”
The Dudong assemblyman said that in this matter, they needed to be firm as it involved the interests of agencies, ministries, and the country as a whole.
“With me, it is simple; if we cannot serve the people well, we should respectfully relinquish that responsibility.
“My law is simple: if you cannot perform, you should leave this ministry. I don’t need passengers in my ministry. I don’t need excess baggage in my ministry,” he said.
