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Monday, May 23, 2022

Tajuddin’s appointment as envoy an affront to democracy

 

Switzerland is among European countries which bar sitting MPs of foreign countries being sent there as ambassadors. Nazri Aziz was rejected by Switzerland for this reason.

I cannot recall any sitting MP in Malaysia ever being appointed as an ambassador or high commissioner. Some politicians were “rewarded” after being dropped as election candidates, including those who could not perform as legislators. These were political appointments made to appease them in return for their support.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has created another first by appointing Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia, in a move seen as akin to securing political support within Umno.

Is Ismail setting a trend, where political appointees slowly replace career diplomats, a move that is frowned upon by many developed countries? Does Malaysia suffer such a dearth of talent for people to head our missions abroad? Of course not!

Obviously, the Tajuddin appointment appears to be a quid pro quo, similar to the appointments made by Muhyiddin Yassin to secure enough support in Parliament to keep his position as prime minister intact. But he failed, anyway.

There are a few things to consider here: one is the quality of the envoy that Ismail decided to appoint and Ismail treating such offers as political sweets; the other is the disregard for the effect on the rakyat who had voted in Tajuddin as their MP.

It’s an affront to basic democracy, if Tajuddin is sent abroad even for a year. The rakyat are “king” to use the analogy favoured by former prime minister Najib Razak.

Ismail has defended his action by saying it’s normal that objections would arise over any appointment. But it’s not a normal appointment, for God’s sake. Tajuddin is an elected MP who took an oath to serve his constituency at all times.

Besides, his personal qualities raise questions about his ability to be an exemplary leader worthy of representing the nation, given his performance as Prasarana chairman and his sexist and sometimes lewd remarks in Parliament.

Even if he is a changed man, he is still MP for Pasir Salak and should not leave his constituents mid-way to go abroad.

Malaysia appears to be descending to a new low in terms of its image across the globe. And the worst part is that the current leadership appears to be ignoring it blithely. As some say, the focus appears to be on us becoming “jaguh kampung” these days.

A case in point is the crowd that was cobbled together – some say “rented” – to welcome home the prime minister from his trip to the US recently. It was pathetic to see decent Malaysians holding ridiculous placards and screaming slogans after he stepped out of his plane.

He was just returning after the US-Asean Summit in the US, something that other leaders have attended many times before a return to a heroic welcome. Other prominent leaders such as Jokowi and Lee Hsien Loong returned home quietly, no fanfare whatsoever.

There was no one to greet the “Karate Kids” who went to France on credit and secured smashing and golden success in an international tournament.

Our problems, in politics, the economy and society, are serious, real and huge indeed. The last thing we need is to quibble over a “tainted” leader being appointed as an ambassador.

Ismail must have the honour and courage to ask Tajuddin to quit as MP if he insists that Tajuddin take up the appointment. After all, under our election laws, no by-election will be necessary as there are less than two years left before the next general election.

Otherwise our international credibility, already sinking slowly, will take another beating. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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