Ikmal Hisham regrets letter of support issue, says has learned his lesson

TANAH MERAH (Bernama): Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (pic) expressed his regrets Saturday (Aug 22) and says he has learned his lesson following the issue of a letter of support for his son to be appointed as a board member of Pharmaniaga, which went viral Friday (Aug 21).

Ikmal Hisham, who is also Tanah Merah MP, said that the matter had been clarified by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Defence Minister, Saturday but he planned to explain the issue further in Parliament on Monday (Aug 24).

He said that there was a possibility of misunderstanding apart from some weaknesses on his part which would be corrected in Parliament.

"The letter, which went viral was written a long time ago, dated June 5, and my son also accepted the fact that he was not appointed as a board member under the said company.

"In fact, I have also written a letter withdrawing my proposal to the minister so that the letter of support is cancelled, apart from informing the chairman of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) not to appoint Ikmal Hazlan as a board member, ” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Tanah Merah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division meeting at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tanah Merah 1 here Saturday.

He also expressed his appreciation to Ismail Sabri who explained the matter to the media Saturday, saying that there was no abuse of power regarding the letter.

"I could have sent a letter of support directly to the LTAT chairman but I didn’t do that as I respect the minister and asked his opinion as well as support first.

"Furthermore, although there is a letter of support, it is still up to the company to see the ability, background and qualifications of the applicant, ” he said.

Ikmal Hisham also admitted that he was shocked when the letter of support went viral on social media sites Friday, a day before the Tanah Merah Bersatu division conference took place, though he thought it might be just a coincidence.

On Friday, a copy of a letter of support written by Ikmal Hisham, who allegedly asked his son to be appointed as a board member of Pharmaniaga, which was addressed to Ismail Sabri dated June 5, went viral on social media sites. - Bernama