Govt explains criteria for politician to become ambassador

 

Wisma Putra has come up with some explanations about the criteria that the government looks at when considering a politician to be an ambassador.

While no names were mentioned, the explanation in response to a parliamentary query comes after many were perplexed by the government’s plans to appoint Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as ambassador to Indonesia.

In the written reply yesterday, it said that any candidate for mission heads - whether career diplomats or political appointees - must pass MACC’s checks to ensure they are free of any issues of integrity.

For career diplomats, those eligible for consideration as ambassadors have usually served in the diplomatic corp for 20 years and have been stationed in several countries before.

As for political appointees, Wisma Putra said among the factors considered is whether the candidate can foster close ties with the receiving country’s legislative body and understand their political system.

But above all, it said the main criteria is that a political appointment must have the collective agreement of the cabinet before the nomination process can begin.

The Foreign Ministry said that politicians becoming ambassadors was not an alien concept and had been in practice before.

The written reply was in response to queries by Khalid Samad (Pakatan Harapan-Shah Alam) and Noor Amin Ahmad (Harapan-Kangar).

In May, Tajuddin had confirmed that he would be appointed as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia and was set to receive his appointment letter together with four others from the king on June 20.

However, the ceremony was postponed as the king was hospitalised for a medical procedure.

When the investiture ceremony was rescheduled to last July 12, Tajuddin’s name was not on the list.

It remains unclear to this day whether his appointment was revoked or is on hold.

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.

More recently, the Pasir Salak MP courted brickbats for swearing in the Dewan Rakyat and uttering sexist remarks at opposition lawmakers. - Mkini