Newly minted Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Hisyamuddin Ghazali has come under fire after he described two government critics as “Cina sesat” (lost Chinese) on Facebook.
The racial remark has drawn condemnation for Hisyamuddin, also known as Syam Ghaz, from various quarters, including politicians from the government and opposition.
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said it was unbecoming for a government official to make such a racist remark and called for his sacking.
“This is what happens when a person appointed by the prime minister and communications minister does not understand his status in the government.
“Statements made by Syam are clearly inappropriate coming from a senior government official whose salary is paid using taxpayers’ money,” he said in a statement.
Tun Faisal added that Hisyamuddin’s post was not only unprofessional and against the civil servants’ code of conduct, but also taints the image of the government.
MCA wants apology
MCA, in a statement, demanded that the Communications Ministry instruct Hisyamuddin to issue a public apology or have him removed from the position.
It also criticised DAP and its vice-chairperson Teo Nie Ching, who is also the deputy communications minister, for allegedly being quiet over Hisyamuddin’s transgression.
“If such a remark was made by the opposition, surely DAP would be the strongest voice to raise (the alarm about) 3R (race, religion, and royalty), national unity, and racial harmony.
“But when it comes from a newly appointed government official, why is DAP being quiet about it?
“MCA wants Teo and the Communications Ministry to state its position whether such a remark by the J-Kom chief is acceptable, to instruct Syam to make a public apology or have him removed from office, and explain whether disciplinary action will be taken against him,” it said.
The BN component party also urged the government to guarantee that J-Kom would not be used as a publicly funded political propaganda machine.
‘Paid using public funds’
Pro-BN political activist Eric See-To also took a jab at DAP, asking the party’s secretary-general, Anthony Loke, if he sees himself in Hisyamuddin’s post.
“Loke, are you also a ‘Cina sesat’? This is from your new J-Kom chief, who is paid using public funds - the rakyat’s money, which includes Chinese taxpayers.
“So what do DAP and PKR have to say about this?” he posted on Facebook.
PAS central committee member Annuar Musa, meanwhile, described the director-general’s remark as uncalled for.
He said Hisyamuddin should show a good example to the public instead of insulting anyone with a racial statement.
“J-Kom is a government agency that is responsible for explaining government policies, not to act emotionally on social media.
“There is no place for extreme hatred in our country, especially when it is based on race or ethnicity.
“Islam rejects racism and asabiyyah (tribalism),” Annuar added.
‘My duty to help Anwar’
Hisyamuddin was appointed as J-Kom director-general on June 8, taking over from Ismail Yusop, whose service was terminated ahead of schedule before being reassigned to the Prime Minister’s Department.
He has since courted controversy over a series of aggressive social media postings against perceived government critics.
The racial remark was in a post yesterday evening when Hisyamuddin described businessperson Albert Tei and See-To as opposition lackeys.
“Previously, opposition lackeys See-To and Tei have been attacking Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but now they have to face me.
“It’s okay, it is my duty to help Anwar so he can focus on developing the country.
“Leave these two ‘Cina sesat’ to us. Move forward!” Hisyamuddin posted on Facebook at 5.37pm.
The post has since been edited twice, where the words “Cina” and “balaci” (lackeys) were removed, but the changes are still visible in the post’s edit history. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.