Suspension of BIMB chief economist.
When Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin gave a prediction of a possible Pakatan Rakyat narrow victory in the next 13th general election, overnight, he has became a political enemy of his employer.
The BIMB chief economist has been suspended from active duty by his employer until further notice and it was not clear that if he would later face the bank's domestic inquiry for an alleged "misconduct" as claimed earlier by the BIMB's managing director.
What "misconduct" has Azrul committed in the forum which he has attended and had his view presented? If the BIMB managing director has mentioned that his view and prediction on Pakatan's possible narrow victory are entirely his personal, then why issue him a suspension on BIMB capacity? Has Azrul ever mention "according to BIMB's prediction, Pakatan will gain a narrow victory"? No he did not say so.
Furthermore, Azrul has attended the forum in under his professional capacity and he was in fact invited to the said forum to present what he thinks fit in his professional capacity. And whatever the BIMB managing director and the management of BIMB are doing now (issuing the suspension) is a grave mistake and political motivated. It looks like the entire BIMB management has been pressured by the BN government to get rid of Azrul from within their ranks.
As a Malaysian citizen, Azrul is granted the right of freedom of speech and expression by the Federal Constitution. Under BIMB's so-called "policy and instruction", its staffs are barred from giving any views nor supporting any political channels as long as they are working with the said bank. It shows that BIMB is blatantly denying the constitutional rights of their employees. Does that mean all BIMB employees are also barred from voting in the general elections?
In handling such circumstances, BIMB should be fair to its employees, especially when dealing with not only different political opinions but economic opinions as well. Asides, BIMB should also be aware of the constitutional rights of all Malaysian citizens, which also includes all BIMB employees who are lawfully Malaysian citizens.
What now by suspending Azrul and making him the bank's number one political enemy, it only further tarnish the image and reputation of BIMB itself and not Azrul at all. If BIMB still consider itself as a reputable banking institution, we would urge them to re-think the current situation.
The BIMB chief economist has been suspended from active duty by his employer until further notice and it was not clear that if he would later face the bank's domestic inquiry for an alleged "misconduct" as claimed earlier by the BIMB's managing director.
What "misconduct" has Azrul committed in the forum which he has attended and had his view presented? If the BIMB managing director has mentioned that his view and prediction on Pakatan's possible narrow victory are entirely his personal, then why issue him a suspension on BIMB capacity? Has Azrul ever mention "according to BIMB's prediction, Pakatan will gain a narrow victory"? No he did not say so.
Furthermore, Azrul has attended the forum in under his professional capacity and he was in fact invited to the said forum to present what he thinks fit in his professional capacity. And whatever the BIMB managing director and the management of BIMB are doing now (issuing the suspension) is a grave mistake and political motivated. It looks like the entire BIMB management has been pressured by the BN government to get rid of Azrul from within their ranks.
As a Malaysian citizen, Azrul is granted the right of freedom of speech and expression by the Federal Constitution. Under BIMB's so-called "policy and instruction", its staffs are barred from giving any views nor supporting any political channels as long as they are working with the said bank. It shows that BIMB is blatantly denying the constitutional rights of their employees. Does that mean all BIMB employees are also barred from voting in the general elections?
In handling such circumstances, BIMB should be fair to its employees, especially when dealing with not only different political opinions but economic opinions as well. Asides, BIMB should also be aware of the constitutional rights of all Malaysian citizens, which also includes all BIMB employees who are lawfully Malaysian citizens.
What now by suspending Azrul and making him the bank's number one political enemy, it only further tarnish the image and reputation of BIMB itself and not Azrul at all. If BIMB still consider itself as a reputable banking institution, we would urge them to re-think the current situation.
