PETALING JAYA: Filmmakers Dr Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri and Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof, who were recently appointed as Foreign Ministry officers in November 2021, have had their contracts terminated.

       Sinar Daily reported that the terminations were confirmed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah who, however, declined to reveal the reason for this.

       "I have no comments on this," Saifuddin was quoted by Sinar Daily as saying on Thursday (March 3).

       Last November, the ministry raised eyebrows when it announced that Ahmad Idham was made cultural secretary while Eizlan had been appointed as creative advisor.

       Ahmad Idham was National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer prior to the appointment, and he resigned from the post to join the ministry.

       In the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 23, Saifuddin said Ahmad Idham took a pay grade demotion to join the ministry while Eizlan took up his post without pay.

       The minister added that what they did was “akin to national service”.

       Quoting a source, Sinar Daily said Ahmad Idham and Eizlan had ambitions to contest in the 15th General Election as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia candidates.

       The source, however, added that the move was not welcomed by party members as the two lacked grassroots support.