A revelation yesterday on UMNO’s Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman on his appointment as Ambassador to Indonesia left many baffled on how this had come about.
What does it take for a Malaysian to represent Malaysia on an international front? Surely there has to be some merit to a person who will be the face of Malaysia in Indonesia, carrying Government policies, positions and standards as the window to the wealth that Malaysia can offer.
Does Tajuddin Abdul Rahman have what it takes as a Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia?
As a two term MP, I have seen Tajuddin Abdul Rahman in action, verbally abusing other lawmakers, making lewd and sexist remarks against DAP MP Teresa Kok, provoking the then MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad to a punching match outside the house, belittling and insulting fellow lawmakers whom he feels do not belong in the August House because he deems them too young and a tirade of distasteful unparliamentary remarks in the Dewan Rakyat, and defending convicted felon former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor on their obscene wealth and shopping sprees.
Over the years, Tajuddin has not shown that he has mellowed down and taken the road less travelled as a distinguished “Yang Berhormat” but more of a provocateur who is brash, uncouth, rude, racist and sexist – in and out of the Parliament.
Tajuddin was also sacked in 1995 by UMNO for his involvement in money politics and his tenure as Chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, terminated in May 2021 after a disastrous collision between 2 LRT trains and his mega-blunder at the press conference and a lack of empathy and care for the victims of the accident.
Surely Malaysia must have better candidates in the Prime Minister’s “Keluarga Malaysia” in the form of diplomats, envoys, representatives and emissaries who have knowledge, experience and decorum to be the face and image of Malaysia on a global scale, and in this particular case, in the ASEAN region – and also a non political appointee.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website states that “Overseas Missions are the institutional extension of the Government of Malaysia in maintaining good relations with foreign countries and international organisations such as the UN and its organs, ASEAN and OIC. The main roles of the Missions include conducting activities that promote friendly relations with the host government and lobby in the interest of Malaysia. Missions also gather useful political, economic and other information, news, activities that might have possible impact on Malaysia’s national interests”.
Has Tajuddin made the cut for the above mentioned?
The Prime Minister Ismail Sabri and the Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah must explain and justify to all Malaysians why Tajuddin was picked over many more experienced and qualified candidates who can fill the place of Ambassador to Indonesia.
As Malaysians, we already have to suffer with one “national embarrassment” walking free in the country. Let’s not add to that list by this catastrophic appointment.