New Tourism Malaysia DG in the wings?

PETALING JAYA: With the abrupt departure of Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar from the post, the question now is who will become the new director-general of Tourism Malaysia.

Speaking to The Star, Ammar indicated that the current senior director of International Promotions for Asia and Africa, Manoharan Periasamy, is set to succeed him.

Manoharan is currently the acting deputy director-general of planning at Tourism Malaysia.

Sources have confirmed this, saying that the official appointment letter has already been prepared.Addressing the media yesterday,

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing acknowledged that there has been widespread speculation that Manoharan may soon meet with him.

“I know some people are saying that he (Manoharan) can have tea with me,” he quipped.However, Tiong declined to confirm anything,

The minister merely stated that a formal announcement on Ammar’s replacement will be made soon.