Ambassadorship to 'reward' Tajuddin for backing PM - Umno sources

 

The plan to appoint Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as a diplomat is to reward his strong backing for Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who emerged victorious in the prime ministerial race after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was ousted from the top job.

An Umno source who is close to Tajuddin (above) told Malaysiakini that another key figure who also backed Ismail Sabri was Nazri Abdul Aziz, who is also tipped for an ambassador position.

“The appointment of the two leaders is to repay them. Tajuddin and Nazri were among the two individuals who played a role in getting Ismail Sabri appointed as the prime minister,” the source said.

The source noted that the duo was also among the most vocal in criticising Ismail Sabri’s rival - Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Tajuddin was in May sacked as the Prasarana chairperson for his insensitive handling of an LRT accident that left scores injured.

He is now tipped to be appointed to become the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia.

The source said Tajuddin’s appointment is firm and he is expected to begin his duties in the role next year.

“Wait for the official announcement,” the source said. Details for Nazri’s ambassadorship position are still unclear.

Another two separate sources also gave a similar account of Tajuddin and Nazri’s significant role in helping Ismail Sabri rise to the position of prime minister.

Nazri Abdul Aziz

“It’s no longer a secret. People know that they were the two leaders who had staunchly defended Ismail Sabri’s appointment as the prime minister.

“We can’t blame the prime minister. Anyone would have done the same,” one of the sources said.

Nazri, who is the Padang Rengas MP, was the first person to publicly reveal efforts to push Ismail Sabri as the new prime minister after Zahid moved against Muhyiddin.

Nazri also publicly declared that he had put ink to paper as evidence of his support for Ismail Sabri.

The move blocked Zahid from installing a prime ministerial candidate from his faction. - Mkini