Perak Religious Dept director transferred out - NST

IPOH: April 30, 2008 By M. Husairy Othman and P. Chandra Sagaran

State Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury was slapped with a 24-hour transfer order by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin yesterday for failing to co-operate with the State Government.

Sources said his "sin" could have been his decision not to allow Nizar to deliver sermons during the Friday prayers.

It is learnt that Jamry was summoned to Nizar's office about 8am and given a tongue-lashing in the presence of state secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim before being ordered to vacate his office at Kompleks Islam here.

"The meeting was brief and the saddest part was that Jamry was not even given the chance to defend himself.

"He was accused of not co-operating with the new State Government despite it (State Government) having been formed for about 40 days," a source said.





He said Dr Abdul Rahman was also directed at the end of the meeting to prepare a letter of transfer for Jamry.

On the possibility of Jamry's transfer being linked to the issue of Friday prayers, the source said the director disagreed with Nizar's request and this could have angered the menteri besar.

It is understood that Jamry is trying to seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, on the transfer.

When contacted, Jamry, also state Malay Customs and Islamic Council secretary, confirmed that he had been transferred.

He declined to elaborate, saying only that he would issue a statement on the matter today.

Meanwhile, Nizar, when met at a function here, said transfers were normal administrative procedures involving Government officers.

"It is a normal staff movement and part of the administrative process. I do not think it will lead to serious repercussions."

He also declined to comment when asked if Jamry's failure to co-operate with the State Government was the reason for the transfer.

"I do not know ... you will have to ask him. It is normal for employees to be moved in or out. Why should we make an announcement when employees are transferred?"

Nizar noted that former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali had transferred out a deputy state secretary soon after assuming office.