PUTRAJAYA: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has confirmed the termination of J-Kom director-general Mohd Khairuddin Othman, but no permanent replacement has been appointed yet.
"For now, his duties will be temporarily reassigned, but it's unclear when a permanent replacement will be appointed, as there is a process involved," he said during the weekly post-cabinet press conference today.
He also declined to disclose the reason for the termination, saying that the process followed standard procedures.
Yesterday, the media reported that Khairuddin had been removed from the position, just six months after his appointment.
Khairuddin, who is Selangor PKR secretary, confirmed to Utusan Malaysia that his contract was terminated but did not explain why.
"It is true. It (contract) has been terminated. I am no longer the DG (director-general)," he said, adding questions on the matter should be referred to Fahmi.
Khairuddin was appointed as the J-Kom DG on March 1, replacing Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff who resigned last November.
This followed controversy over an alleged video call between Agus and a staff member which featured a salacious conversation.
Agus and the staff member said while the video was authentic, the audio had been manipulated by a person they identified as "Mr H."