KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has confirmed his appointment as Malaysia’s new ambassador to Indonesia, ending months of speculation over the position.
The Pasir Salak MP relayed the information to Malaysiakini after an earlier report suggested he would begin his official duties in Jakarta later this month.
It was reported that the appointment of the outspoken politician has received the approval of the Indonesian government, after the republic supposedly initially objected to it.
“It’s true,” he said in a brief text message.
Tajuddin, however, did not elaborate on his appointment, including the starting date of his service and the duration of his contract.
The Vibes has reached out to him and Wisma Putra for an official confirmation, but has yet to receive a response. Tajuddin will take over the ambassador role from senior diplomat Zainal Abidin Bakar, who has served since 2018, and will see the post returning to a political appointee.
The last time a politician was given the post in what is deemed as one of Malaysian key overseas missions was in 2013, when Umno’s Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim was appointed.
Rumours of Tajuddin’s appointment first surfaced in October last year when Indonesian news agency Antara wrote an article claiming as such.
His visit to the capital Jakarta a month later, when he accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on a three-day official visit, had fuelled speculation.
In January this year, when asked to confirm the matter, Tajuddin neither denied nor confirmed his appointment, saying the question was best directed to the prime minister.
Sources from Wisma Putra had previously told The Vibes that the ministry was ordered to review the decision to appoint Tajuddin, as well as the possibility of Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz as the ambassador to Switzerland.
Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Indonesia, Tajuddin’s last government position was as chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, before he was sacked last May over his handling of the collision of two light rail transit trains. – The Vibes, May 17, 2022
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