Why the personal attacks against me, asks Tajuddin

IPOH: Questioning the amount of brickbats that he has received, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman says it is not new for politicians to be appointed as ambassadors.

The Pasir Salak MP and Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia-to-be said several politicians had served as ambassadors in Indonesia and the United States before even though they were not from the civil service.

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"I don't understand what the dispute is about me being appointed as the ambassador to Indonesia. What are all the personal attacks against me about?

"I am a seasoned politician with vast experience, so attacking me without facts is just baseless," he told a press conference after attending TAJ International College's open house here on Sunday (May 28).

Tajuddin said attacking him based on his personality did not carry any merit. He also said it was possible some parties were not happy with his appointment as that would close their door to be ambassador.

"So all those out there talking without facts about my appointment and experience – if you all do not know how to make an evaluation, that is not my problem," he said.

Tajuddin also said that he would state his mission and vision as ambassador after his official appointment by the King.

ALSO READ: Tajuddin: I will comment on appointment as ambassador at the right time

"Before leaving for Indonesia, I will reveal my plans. If I do so now, people are going to say that I am trying to act smart," he added.

Tajuddin will be replacing senior diplomat Zainal Abidin Bakar, who has been serving as the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia since 2018.

In Nov 9, 2021, Tajuddin was spotted accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in an official trip to Indonesia, fuelling speculation that he would be appointed as ambassador.

Tajuddin was terminated as the Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman on May 26 last year following an ill-received press conference on the LRT mishap on May 24.