Poser as Tajuddin not on list of envoys getting appointment letters

Malaysia's new ambassadors will be receiving their appointment letters from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow (July 12).

However, Malaysiakini has learnt from reliable sources that Tajuddin Abdul Rahman - who is slated to become the ambassador to Indonesia - is not among them.

This news portal has contacted Tajuddin for confirmation on the matter.

Another source with knowledge of the ceremony confirmed it was happening tomorrow, but refrained from commenting when asked about Tajuddin not being on the list.

It is unclear why the Pasir Salak MP's name is not on the list or whether his appointment had been revoked.

Free Malaysia Today, meanwhile, cited sources as saying that Tajuddin had been dropped as ambassador to Indonesia.

He and four other envoys were supposed to have received their appointment letters last month, but the ceremony was postponed after the king was hospitalised for an ankle and knee joint intervention procedure.

However, it appears that only the other four would be getting their letters tomorrow.

The four will purportedly be Malaysia's ambassadors to Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and South Korea.

Appointment triggers public backlash

Tajuddin's appointment triggered a public backlash, with many questioning his ability to act as a diplomat due to his track record of being combative and undiplomatic.

He was removed as Prasarana chairperson in May last year for his insensitive handling of an LRT accident that left scores injured.

Days after the appointment ceremony on June 20 was postponed, Tajuddin was sacked as an appointed Umno supreme council member.

This was over a falling out with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Following this, Tajuddin held a tell-all press conference, where he railed against Zahid, accusing him of lying to Umno about backing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister. - Mkini