| Azalina Calls For Mokhzani's Resignation As SIC Chairman |
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KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said Saturday joined Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob in calling for Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir's resignation as chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
Azalina said in a statement she was surprised at and disappointed with Mokhzani's stand to continue as SIC chairman when Ismail Sabri had called for his resignation yesterday citing the post as a government appointment.
"Mokhzani should know that SIC is a government entity and he should resign in the interest of the sport," said Azalina, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member.
"His continued presence is going to hamper the sport because the government's support will have to be reviewed," she said.
Mokhzani, who quit Umno on May 21 following in his father and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's footsteps, had insisted he would hold on to the post as there was no directive from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad or the Finance Ministry asking him to leave.
SIC is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, which is controlled by the government through Khazanah Holdings.
Azalina said Mokhzani was disrespectful when he said that if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wanted him to resign, he (Abdullah) could do so by marking the date on his undated resignation letter which he had signed when he was appointed to the post in 2003.
"Mokhzani should be a gentleman with principles and resign.
His action now is certainly disrespectful. SIC does not belong to him. And since he is no longer with the government, which had appointed him, he should just leave with dignity," said Azalina.
-- BERNAMA
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