IN his latest attempt to defend the government’s mind-boggling appointment of Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as our Malaysian ambassador in Indonesia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is trying his best to defuse such a boiling issue.
Now he is unnecessarily dragging the royal institution into the fiasco.
In responding to a clarion call by many civil society groups – including a few former senior ambassadors – the prime minister contended that any attempt to withdraw the appointment of Tajuddin may be tantamount to questioning the Agong’s discretionary power.
With the greatest respect, his reasons are at best flawed and at worst too pathetic.
Truth be told, this issue has nothing to do with any attempt to question the Agong’s power and privilege duly enshrined in our apex law. As such the lame excuse given by the government does not hold water.
On the contrary, if the prime minister is truly honest, he should be duly thankful to all concerned Malaysians who are merely trying to protect and safeguard the goodwill and integrity of our constitutional monarchy.
Being a Malaysian, one has a solemn duty to maintain the nation’s image and good name too.
It goes without saying that the appointment of any ambassador is indeed a big call. Such an important job carries with it the issue of integrity and a high level of competency.
With a plethora of controversies plaguing Tajuddin, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to easily appreciate any arguments opposing Tajuddin’s bewildering appointment.
After all, the government itself saw it fit to show him the exit door from the chairmanship of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd when the veteran politician unduly embarked on unnecessary controversies by making insensitive remarks over a bloody tragedy involving our public transport.
Even his own party, i.e. Umno decided to oust him from the party’s national leadership.
It was reported that one of the reasons for such an ouster was due to his alleged consistent disciplinary breaches.
Be that as it may, it is rather absurd for the government to appoint Tajudddin to hold the ambassadorial office when it is fully aware of his questionable characters and contentious track records. – The Vibes, July 3, 2022
Mohamed Hanipa Maidin is Sepang MP
