The Malaysian Insight

TWO diplomats known to be political appointees have agreed to relinquish their posts after their initial refusal to be recalled.

Sources said the envoy to the Vatican City has returned to Malaysia while the ambassador to Finland has informed the Foreign Ministry that she agreed to come back.

It is learnt their status has reverted from diplomat to private citizen.

 after the new Pakatan Harapan administration decided to review all political appointments.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed that the issue of their return was settled, but declined to disclose the identities of the two envoys.

“One has returned and the other has said that she will also return. The issue has been settled by the ministry officials,” Saifuddin said in Shah Alam, today.  

The New Straits Times reported that Vatican City envoy Bernard Dompok has returned to Penampang, Sabah.

English daily The Star had reported that the two diplomats were initially reluctant to relinquish their posts despite orders to do so.

The two were among the political appointees who the PH coalition decided to remove after it came to power in the 14th general election.

Saifuddin said future envoys would be recruited from the ministry’s diplomatic corps instead of being appointees from political parties as was the practice by the former Barisan Nasional administration.

“All appointments will be done through the normal process. Officers who are interested can bid for these posts but the selection process will be done by senior ministry officials.

“The short list will come to me but the senior officials will do the selection and scrutinise the candidates.” – July 9, 2018.