GOVT WILL NO LONGER PICK POLITICIANS AS ENVOYS
They have returned to Malaysia
TWO out of the five foreign envoys who were appointed by the previous administration and were directed to return home have abided by the government’s instruction.
The two returned to Malaysia separately in the past 10 days, thus resolving a controversy which mired the political appointees.
The envoys had served as heads of foreign missions and government-linked companies based overseas.
Former Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, who returned on June 30, said he was not disappointed or offended by the government’s decision to end his contract, which was supposed to end in October, before it was terminated on June 30.
“I accept the government’s decision with an open heart.
“I have served in Jakarta for five years. It is up to the government to decide on my replacement.
“The government was my employer and it can make any decision it desires.
“All I can do is follow that decision,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
On his future plans, Zahrain said he might venture into business and spend time with his grandchildren.
The former Bayan Baru member of parliament was appointed as the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia in October 2013.
In Kota Kinabalu, former Malaysian ambassador to the Holy See Tan Sri Bernard Dompok was believed to have returned to Sabah last weekend.
“Yes, he’s back since last Saturday, but he is resting (at home in Penampang),” his personal assistant told NSTP.
“I will let you know when he is ready (to talk).”
Dompok was appointed Malaysia’s first resident ambassador to Vatican City in early 2016.
The veteran politician was in the cabinet and was Sabah’s chief minister from 1998 to 1999.
Other envoys in the list are Malaysian ambassador to Finland Puan Sri Blanche O’Leary, Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre in Taiwan president Datuk Adeline Leong and Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Datuk Ghulam Jelani Khanizaman.
Meanwhile, the government has yet to decide on candidates to replace ambassadors whose contracts were terminated.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah when contacted by NSTP, however, declined to elaborate on the matter, including if there were already names shortlisted for the posts.
“(We have) not finalised the (list of) names,” he said on the WhatsApp mobile application.
The government had recently decided to terminate political appointees of the previous administration who were serving abroad and heading governmentlinked companies.
The media reported that two of the envoys had initially refused to obey the government’s instruction, which caused other ambassadors to be concerned about their positions following the government’s decision.
The issue came up after Pakatan Harapan formed the government following the 14th General Election.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said the previous government hired 17,000 officers and staff by political appointments.
Among them were ambassadors who lacked capabilities and experience, but were enjoying high salaries.
A Bernama report said Saifuddin confirmed Dompok had been recalled as directed on June 30.
Previously, Zahrain and Dompok, who were political appointees of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, were given notices to vacate their posts.