In confirming Khairuddin’s fate, Fahmi, who is the communications minister, said: “This hiring (of people) and termination is normal.”

Fahmi, however, refused to comment on why Khairuddin’s contract was terminated when asked at a press conference here.

He said the director-general’s post had been temporarily filled with no confirmed timeline set for a permanent appointment.

Fahmi did not name the acting director-general.

Khairuddin yesterday confirmed his departure, just six months after he was appointed to the post, but declined to elaborate.

He had urged the media to direct their enquiries regarding the termination of service to Fahmi.

The former two-term Paya Jaras assemblyman was appointed to the position on March 1, succeeding Agus Yusoff after the latter resigned last November amid a controversy surrounding an alleged lewd conversation between him and another man.