Minister: Tan’s appointment will not affect envoy’s duties
KUANTAN: The appointment of DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai as special envoy to China will not disrupt or affect the duties of the current ambassador, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
He said the appointment of Tan, who is also Cheras member of parliament, came with specific tasks, which would “complement” the job functions of the ambassador to China, Datuk Zainuddin Yahya.
While acknowledging that the policy was to do away with political appointees as envoys, there was a need to improve and forge better ties with China, said Saifuddin.
“This was the thinking when we appointed the special envoy,” he said after attending the Indera Mahkota
Parliamentary
Consultative
Council
(MPIM) meeting in Kompleks Dagangan Mahkota here yesterday.
Saifudd in said Tan had been appointed and was waiting for the official letter from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Tan, who took over as chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council from Aug 1, had earlier confirmed his appointment as special envoy to China and it caused polemics as the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition had been critical of envoys who were political appointees.
Saifuddin said MPIM was established to enhance the planning and coordination of all parties in search of developmental ideas and resolving residents problems.
He said MPIM had 52 members from different backgrounds and hoped the figure would be increased to 60, with the participation of more women and young people.
“Many issues raised at the meeting yesterday were related to economic and employment opportunities, which, if not overcome, could lead to social problems and issues.”