Tajuddin dropped as M’sian envoy to Indonesia?

PETALING JAYA: Umno MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who was recently removed from the party’s supreme council, has now been dropped as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia as well, according to Wisma Putra sources.“Yes, his name has been dropped. Confirmed,” said a source when contacted.

The fiery Tajuddin could not be reached for comments.

It is understood that his name was not on the list of envoys who are scheduled to receive their appointment letters from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today.

Only four names are on the list.

Another source said Tajuddin’s name could still be on the list of envoys scheduled to receive their appointment letters (surat watikah) by Sunday.

“As far as I know, the issue is being dealt with tactfully as the Prime Minister wants Tajuddin (as envoy),” said the source.

“Before Hari Raya Haji, Tajuddin’s name was still there.”

Tajuddin and the other four envoys had been scheduled to receive their letters on June 20, but this was deferred after the King was hospitalised for a knee joint and ankle intervention procedure.

In May, it was revealed that Tajuddin had been appointed as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia, replacing Datuk Zainal Abidin Bakar, who had served in the post since 2018.

This led to criticism from the public, who found the combative Pasir Salak MP offensive.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the appointment had been agreed by both Malaysia and the republic.

He described Tajuddin as a seasoned politician with vast experience, saying: “Let’s just wait for him to carry out his duty as ambassador.”

In May last year, Tajuddin was terminated as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman following a poorly received press conference on an LRT mishap.

Last month, Umno removed him from the party’s supreme council.

It led to him giving a tell-all press conference in which he criticised the Umno leadership, but said he remained loyal to Ismail Sabri.