PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement that Umno’s Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman is being appointed as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia needs an urgent rethink.
The avalanche of public opinion not in support of this move by the prime minister and his cabinet cannot be ignored.
Patriot’s members have been receiving an unstopping stream of messages and sentiments registering the public’s disapproval too.
In fact, an initiative on Change.org petitioning to revoke the appointment of Tajuddin has garnered more than 7,500 signatures within hours of publishing, and as of now, this penning of our advice to the prime minister.
It is not too difficult to understand the public outrage and why there is an overwhelming protest over the appointment of the ambassador to Indonesia.
Even though the prime minister has assured that Indonesia has welcomed the appointment, patriotic citizens of Malaysia think otherwise.
The opposition must be recognised as the voice of caring, concerned, committed and patriotic citizens who take an active part in the protection of the good name of our beloved nation and its reputation.
Patriot recognises and values the public opinion in the best interest of nation-building. In the spirit of the Keluarga Malaysia (an initiative rolled out by Ismail Sabri himself), citizens are in the opinion and disapproval of the appointment of the politician concerned.
Suffice to say, the long list of controversies surrounding Tajuddin technically and principally disqualifies him from being selected and appointed to play an ambassadorial role.
In this regard, Patriot demands that the prime minister and charade of cabinet members to re-think and quickly revoke the appointment.
Such a remedial response from the government will go a long way in keeping the Keluarga Malaysia spirit intact and relevant for the times.
Ignoring this overwhelming public outcry will be detrimental to the leadership of the present-day government, and its ramifications will only precipitate in public disappointment and loss of faith in Ismail Sabri’s leadership. – The Vibes, May 18, 2022
Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji is Patriot president