theSun | WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3 2008
speak up!
Antiques become antics in tourism
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
CitizenNades wanted a VIP to launch
it followed by a press
by R. Nadeswaran 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.
Etihad “We got you a nice plaque
which you can display in your
takes top office.”
honours “Forget it. I would rather
at travel have a digital camera,”
replied the VIP giving the
awards brand and the model number.
pg 16 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 figment
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 government-
initiated committees, as well
as company directorships.
In view of what was then
the spiralling oil prices and
the financial 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.
TELLING IT AS IT IS
Acting Editor-in-Chief: Chong Cheng Hai
Consultant Editor: Zainon Ahmad
Executive Editor: Lee Boon Siew
Deputy Editor: Patrick Choo (Production),
Editor: R. Nadeswaran (Special Reporting)
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
office 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 justified the purchase
by stating that the “minister
wishes to present the items”.
Ahmad’s letter further
13
General Manager, Advertising and Marketing: Charles Peters
Production Manager: Thomas Kang
Distribution Channels, Senior Manager: Joehari Abdul Jabbar
Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-k)
Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya.
Tel (General): 03-7784 6688
Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5
E-mail: newsdesk@thesundaily.com
Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424
What action will be taken
states that the gifts were:
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
to support the ancillary that they should refuse to
industries in the tourism carry out instructions which
sector; to prevent national are contrary to regulations. So,
treasures such as the what will happen to Ahmad?
purchased antiques from His excuse will be that he
being taken out of the merely “ikut arahan” but
country; to aid bumiputra shouldn’t he have in the first
businessmen in the antique place said: “Ini tidak ikut polisi
trade; and to support the kerajaan and surat pekililing
antiques industry as a tourist perbendaharaan.”
attraction. The irony is that Ahmad’s
To say that such letter addressed to the director
justification holds no water general of Tourism Malaysia
in view of the austerity drive and the director of the
would be an understatement. Domestic Promotion Division
But what is more startling goes under the heading:
is the manner in which the Pembayaran Barang-Barang
whole acquisition exercise Antik Yang Dibeli oleh YB
was carried out. A quotation Datuk Sri Mentri Pelancongan
was submitted on April 30 Malaysia (Payment for
by Syarikat Abdul in Jalan antiques purchased by the
Hang Jebat, Malacca; the tourism minister). That, in a
invoice was issued the same nutshell, puts everything into
day and the goods were perspective. Need anything
collected on May 14. While it more be said?
is understandable that open
tenders cannot be called for
unique items such as antiques, R. Nadeswaran says
the underlining question government officials who defy
is: What is the justification directives should be punished.
for spending RM105,000 on He is editor (special and
souvenirs when there was Investigative reporting) at
already a Treasury directive theSun. He can be reached at:
on the subject of souvenirs? citizen-nades@thesundaily.com