Wednesday, May 18, 2022

PM defends Tajuddin’s appointment as envoy to Indonesia



PM defends Tajuddin’s appointment as envoy to Indonesia


Ismail Sabri Yaakob says Tajuddin Abdul Rahman is a ‘seasoned politician and experienced’.


PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the appointment of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as Malaysia’s new ambassador to Indonesia.

“We cannot satisfy everybody,” said Ismail, in responding to criticism on the choice of Tajuddin.


According to Sinar Harian, Ismail said Tajuddin’s appointment had been approved by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He said the former Umno election director was a “seasoned politician and experienced”.

His appointment has raised eyebrows and invited criticism, including from Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto as well as Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin, a former diplomat and part of the G25 group of former civil servants.


The post of ambassador to Indonesia has remained vacant since Zainal Abidin Bakar, who was appointed on March 21, 2019, retired on April 4, 2021.

Tajuddin was in Ismail’s entourage for a three-day official visit to Indonesia last November, leading to speculation that he would be appointed as the ambassador in Jakarta.

Tajuddin was removed from his post as Prasarana chairman last May, just days after his much-criticised press conference following a collision involving two LRT trains.

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