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Twitter erupts after Bank Islam chief economist suspended
The 'doomsday' prediction by Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad's chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin (pic) on Barisan Nasional's performance at the coming polls has finally resulted in his suspension.
Azrul confirmed his suspension, days after he told a forum in Singapore that BN might win only between 97 and 107 seats, enough to form the next government.
News of his suspension immediately went viral on Twitter, and the hashtag #Justice4Azrul was launched to highlight it.
“Suspending the Bank Islam personnel over his opinion is absurd and abuse of power,” twitted Nasri86.
“Only in Malaysia, you will be suspended from your job for presenting statistical findings that go against ruling government's mind-set,” remarked @macleanpatrick.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also joined the outrage: “Zalim! (Unjust!)... Islamic bank?” he twitted.
While his daughter, Lembah Pantai member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar had to respond to a fan’s warning that her support for Azrul could complicate matters.
“Stay silent so suspension will move on to sacking?” she responded.
Rights lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, among the first to break the news on the microblogging site, said the suspension was politically motivated.
Azrul’s statement at the forum was earlier condemned by deputy Finance minister Awang Adek Husin, who suggested that being in an influential position, he had no right to offer any personal opinion.
Meanwhile, Kelantan PAS information chief Mohd Fadhli Hassan blasted Awang over his criticism.
“BN should not only listen to those who please them. An expert’s opinion is not to be taken lightly as it has been considered from all angles,” he said.
-Harakahdaily
