'No more political appointees for ambassador posts'

The government will put an end to the previous administration’s practice of hiring political appointees as ambassadors and high commissioners.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the existing heads of mission who were political appointees would be brought home and have their services terminated.

“The Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested that there be no political appointments as ambassadors.

“Only civil servants will be appointed as heads of mission,” he said.

Mahathir added that the government would also no longer practise rewarding retirees with ambassador posts.

The prime minister said this after chairing a meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-corruption in Putrajaya.

Also present were the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) head Abu Kassim Mohamed and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

[More to follow] - Mkini