KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia has appointed its senior director for international promotions (Asia and Africa) P. Manoharan as its new director general, effective yesterday.
Manoharan replaces Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar, as its new director general.
No official statement about the appointment was issued by Tourism Malaysia or the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, except for a congratulatory poster on Tourism Malaysia's social media page.
The poster on Facebook are congratulations wishes for Manoharan from the Board of Directors, management and staff of Tourism Malaysia.
Manoharan carries with him vast experience in the field, including serving three terms as Tourism Malaysia's director for India, as well as senior director for international promotion (Asia and Africa).
He is also said to be instrumental in establishing the first National Tourism Organisation office in Mumbai in 2001.
His appointment comes following Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing's decision to demote Ammar to the deputy director-general's position on Friday.
Tiong had claimed that Ammar who has served the ministry for 36 years failed to achieve the work performance set by him.
On Friday, Ammar who was appointed as director general since April last year, confirmed to the media about the dismissal letter issued by the minister against him.
Ammar, who is scheduled to retire in March next year, insisted that as a government employee who has served for a long time, he always performs his duties according to the correct procedures and procedures.
