Petikan Akhbar The Sun

Moderator - boleh dikatakan setiap Rabu pasti ada berita-berita panas dari Tourism Malaysia di akhbar ini. Sesuai dengan namanya The Sun, beritanya pasti terasa pedih dan perit.
_______________________________________________________________
Speak up!
13 theSun WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3 2008


TELLING IT AS IT IS A MANUFACTURING company was launching a crime awareness programme for its employees. As usual, the corporate affairs department wanted pomp and pageantry added to what was supposed to be an in-house event. They wanted a VIP to launch it followed by a press conference, etc. The date was fixed, the VIP accepted the invitation and the entire company was in its element. A day before the event, the VIP called up. “What are you giving me as a souvenir?” he asked. “We got you a nice plaque which you can display in your office.” “Forget it. I would rather have a digital camera,” replied the VIP giving the brand and the model number.

Sure enough, after the event, the managing director presented the cenderamata in appreciation of the VIP “taking time off from his busy schedule to attend our function.” The above is not a fi gment of my imagination. It was related to me by the managing director in the presence of his corporate communications manager. “Not that we would have been out of pocket. I’ve heard so many stories about him and never knew him to be that kind of a person until that incident,” he said of the VIP who heads a dizzying number of governmentinitiated committees, as well as company directorships. In view of what was then the spiralling oil prices and the fi nancial uncertainties which resulted, the Treasury had sent out a circular on measures to be taken for an austerity drive. Specially made uniforms and shirts for official functions are not allowed. Souvenirs are not encouraged, but if the event warranted it, they should be restricted to books, local handicraft or local food products.

But according to what was revealed in Parliament last week, our lawmakers paid little heed to the word “austerity”. Millions were spent on festive parties. Although authorised, there was no limit to the expenses and the merry-making. Therefore, when a brown envelope landed on our desk last month, little did we realise that even ministries and agencies under its purview pay scant regard for the government’s austerity drive. The Malacca offi ce of Tourism Malaysia bought two souvenirs worth RM105,000 for two VIPs. Whether they were delivered to their supposed recipients is not known, but what the documents reveal is telling
indeed. Even if the souvenirs had been presented, it is doubtful that the recipients were aware how much of taxpayers’ money was used in acquiring them.

The copper vase with Quranic verses cost RM80,000 while a Dutch sword cost RM25,000. According to documents made available to theSun, the director of the Malacca office, Ahmad Yahya justifi ed the purchase by stating that the “minister wishes to present the items”. Ahmad’s letter further states that the gifts were: to support the ancillary industries in the tourism sector; to prevent national treasures such as the purchased antiques from being taken out of the country; to aid bumiputra businessmen in the antique trade; and to support the antiques industry as a tourist attraction.

To say that such justification holds no water in view of the austerity drive would be an understatement. But what is more startling is the manner in which the whole acquisition exercise was carried out. A quotation was submitted on April 30 by Syarikat Abdul in Jalan Hang Jebat, Malacca; the invoice was issued the same day and the goods were collected on May 14. While it is understandable that open tenders cannot be called for unique items such as antiques, the underlining question is: What is the justifi cation for spending RM105,000 on souvenirs when there was already a Treasury directive on the subject of souvenirs?

What action will be taken against those who are openly defying government policies and regulations? The chief secretary to the government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, has time and again reminded civil servants that they should refuse to carry out instructions which are contrary to regulations. So, what will happen to Ahmad? His excuse will be that he merely “ikut arahan” but shouldn’t he have in the first place said: “Ini tidak ikut polisi kerajaan and surat pekililing perbendaharaan.” The irony is that Ahmad’s letter addressed to the director general of Tourism Malaysia and the director of the Domestic Promotion Division goes under the heading: Pembayaran Barang-Barang Antik Yang Dibeli oleh YB Datuk Sri Mentri Pelancongan Malaysia (Payment for antiques purchased by the tourism minister). That, in a nutshell, puts everything into perspective. Need anything more be said?

R. Nadeswaran says government officials who defy directives should be punished. He is editor (special and Investigative reporting) at theSun. He can be reached at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com CitizenNades by R. Nadeswaran Etihad takes top honours at travel awards pg 16