Groups: Nizar must explain why director was removed - The Star

IPOH: May 1, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI

The sacking of former Perak Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury has been criticised by various quarters.

Perak Puteri Umno chief Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin owed the people an explanation as to why he had removed Jamry suddenly.

“Saying that this is a normal administrative procedure is insulting the intelligence of the common people everywhere,” she said.

Perak Umno Youth chief Zainol Fadzi Paharudin described the 24-hour sacking as “abnormal”. “Nizar is now showing his true colours,” he said.

National Malay United Action Front chief Osman Abu Bakar said there should have been consultation with the Perak Sultan and other relevant parties before Jamry was sacked.

“It is our hope that such a decision be referred to the Sultan as the head of the Perak Malay Customs and Religious Council,” he said.

In a statement yesterday, Nizar said the state government did not want to be dragged deeper into the matter as it was not its policy to reveal the “doubtful” behaviour of any officer.

“We have been mindful and given the opportunity to all government servants to carry out their duties as usual so long as they cooperate with us,” he said.

Nizar explained that Jamry was seconded to the post of director from the state secretariat three years ago, a decision made by the previous state administration.

“Hence, it is only proper that what is borrowed is returned,” he said.

Nizar also said that Jamry had been given more than 40 days to familiarise himself and cooperate with the new state government and the fact he had been given “24 hours’ notice” was just procedural.

“The suitable question is this: Has he faced any losses? Why is this an issue when before this, government officers have been transferred from department to department even without the knowledge of the state government?” he asked.

When contacted, Jamry said he had been advised against revealing the reason for his removal for the “good of his career”.

He said he was waiting for a letter from the Public Service Department on his next posting.

Jamry previously served as the Kuala Kangsar district officer for a year before he was transferred to the Religious Department in 2004.