The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should explain whether Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis is the best choice for the plum appointment of Malaysian Ambassador to the United States.
Would Jamaludin be representing the interests of Malaysia or just Najib Razak, which are two completely different agendas.
The Malaysian Insider reported early this month that Jamaludin’s appointment has been submitted to the Obama administration and is being vetted by the US State Department.
News of Jamaludin’s appointment as Malaysian Ambassador to the United States has created not only general public concern but raised the eyebrows of many in the establishment, whether political or the civil service.
The first question is how a politician who was finally dropped from the first Najib Cabinet because of his highly controversial record could be deemed to be appropriate and suitable for the choice overseas appointment as the nation’s Ambassador to the US?
It is reported that Jamaludin will enjoy the status of a minister in his new appointment. Is this Jamaludin’s back-door entry into the Cabinet after having failed to get in from the front door?
If Malaysia practises the United States system of subjecting all prospective ambassadorial appointments to Congressional public hearings, scrutiny and approval, there could be no doubt that Jamaluddin would not be able to successfully pass through such a gauntlet.
The reason being put forward for Jamaludin’s nomination to be ambassador is that he has a “good network” in the US.
It is public knowledge that Jamaludin’s record of “good networking” in the US is not something which could bear public scrutiny, whether for his” role in the labyrinth of seedy Washington lobby politics when he was Tenaga Nasional Chairman but also for the controversial remarks he made about Malaysian Indians while on a trip to the United States a couple of years ago as Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Is Jamaludin prepared to publicly apologise for the latter episode?
In view of Jamaludin’s other equally infamous controversial roles, Najib should convince Parliamentarians and the Malaysian public that Jamaludin is the nation’s best choice as Ambassador to the United States.
How could someone who was dropped “with a bang” in the last Abdullah cabinet reshuffle, and not deemed to be suitable to be in the first Najib Cabinet despite all speculation because of his close connection with the new Prime Minister, be regarded as the most ideal “flag bearer” for Malaysia in the US?
Would Jamaludin be able to represent the national interests and not just the interest of one man, be he the Prime Minister of Malaysia, in Washington?
#1 by yhsiew on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:27 am
It is a clear cut case of cronyism which rears its ugly head under Najis administration.
#2 by limkamput on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:30 am
How about OKChuan as ambassador to China, suitable? If so, why?
#3 by vsp on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:37 am
And not to forget, he got itchy hands which tend to roam unabated into forbidden territories. Obama has to be careful not to leave the first Lady alone.
[deleted]
#4 by a2a on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:55 am
He is not represent Malaysia to USA.
[deleted]
#5 by nckeat on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:02 am
Only LKS is good enough to be Malaysian Ambassador! All the other are stupid. In Malaysia, only LKS is ‘God’!
#6 by pedeo on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:26 am
I know Ongkc very well. A mediocre at best. Lost in GE in 2004. Lost in MCA election in 2008. BN lost Perak partly because of his leadership in MCA Perak. Made a minister by his brother okt. Najib should find someone more capable, honest and qualified.
#7 by kerishamuddinitis on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:30 am
Oops, nckeat, I have the highest respect for LKS but elevating him to god or demi-god status is a little too much-lah. Even if I accept that you have a right to, there really is no place for gods or demi-gods in any blog nor in politics. Otherwise, gods and demi-gods will demand that those who follow must kowtow.
LKS is good enough to be PM of this country if not for his race. And as TDM, UMNO and many of our Malay brethren will put it (quite rightly so as well), ANYONE CAN BE PM of this country IF he has the support of the MAJORITY. But we know in Malaysia, the majority who are Malays are not yet ready to accept an OBAMA miracle. It took US more than 200 years to come to this stage.
We are 51 years as a nation and quantum-leaping the several stage of emancipation. If we are able to achieve TRUE EQUALITY as citizens of this country in the next GE13, it will be a step in the direction of going ‘where no man has gone before…in Malaysia.’
Not ‘god’, not ‘demi-god, not even ‘DAP potentate’ but an honest, principled leader of the Rakyat who has held firm to his beliefs, values and principles, and rejects racist and sectarian ploilitics.
If not for his race, he would have been PM of Malaysia.
#8 by blablowbla on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:41 am
i had mentioned dis issue 2 weeks ago,JJ is always hanging around PNB areas [deleted]
#9 by k1980 on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:45 am
What if US airport security mistook him for Osama and pack him off to Gitmo for waterboarding?
#10 by limkamput on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 10:51 am
Someone here did not even notice the sarcasm of nckeat!
Look, if LKS has any skeleton in the cupboard, he would have been exposed many times over. nckeat, what have you got?
#11 by All For The Road on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 11:05 am
BN and for that matter UMNO obviously practise the politics of patronage since we achieved Independence 51 years ago. If you know to manoeuvre your way and also how to ‘botek’ the boss and the powers-that-be despite being not qualified , you will have the chance to climb up the ladder of success in one way or another. The country has churned out political have-beens into leaders for foreign assignments, sad to say!
#12 by -ec- on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 11:37 am
if Jamaludin Jarjis is so capable, NR should send him to be our ambassador to Mongolia. I bet JJ will get good networking there also.
:P
#13 by cintanegara on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 12:11 pm
The right candidate that exceeds LKS’s standard would be no other than his own son and daughter in law….
#14 by AhPek on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 12:20 pm
Your critical faculty is so bloody limited that you can’t go beyond having a go at LGE and the little red dot that oftentimes people here tend to think that you have an underdeveloped brain,perhaps maybe even none,cintanegara!
#15 by vsp on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 12:21 pm
cintanegara:
What intelligence deficit you are finding yourself in: LGE is already the CM of Penang. And why did he want to be a mere ambassador? Betty has to be with LGE and she prefers to be in Penang. Understand?
#16 by negarawan on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 12:27 pm
Perhaps Razak Baginda will be the next ambassador to the UK?
#17 by -ec- on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 1:04 pm
YB, bn is attempting to control the external relations with our most important trading partners (US & China). you have to assess the overall impact.
are there guidelines in ambassador selection? i wonder. it looks like any tom dick & harry that can shine their bn bosses’ shoes could get the posts.
we have to be clear that: OUR AMBASSADORS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES REPRESENT THE COUNTRY, NOT REPRESENTING BN OR UMNO OR MCA!!!!!
these people already bring shames to the people in the countries, now we want the whole world to know??? malaysians will be losing face in big time….not to mention raising our international reputation and international standing.
#18 by chengho on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 2:09 pm
Kerish
Obama becoming the president of US not beacause of his race BUT he rep the democrat party , LKS rep a minor partner to Anwar , do u think Anwar will allow LKS to be the PM?
#19 by twistedmind on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 2:15 pm
[deleted]
#20 by Godfather on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 2:42 pm
Idiots like cintanegara and Kasim Amat promote mediocrity without even realising it. They take has-beens and tainted individuals and give them ministerial positions simply because these individuals have done a political service to Najib, and not because they are the best individuals for the job.
We laughed at Badawi’s “bloated” cabinet, but now Najib has surpassed his predecessor with the total number of ministers and deputy ministers exceeding Badawi’s. This is a gravy train that has gone out of control, and will be out of control until we get UMNO to sit on the opposition benches.
#21 by blablowbla on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 3:17 pm
[deleted]
#22 by mauriyaII on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 3:47 pm
This JJ UMNO goon is a racist who villified a poor Malaysian Indian student for being an Indian. [deleted]
#23 by -ec- on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 4:33 pm
we have to stop bn from turning the posts of ambassadors to be their political commodities. when cash (money politics or $ related corruption) is not so easy to get, positions and powers become their assets. beware!
there are already so many cabinet minister posts to be given away to their obedient cronies, now there are addition of 105 posts of ambassadors, high commissioners consulate general posts to give away.
please do not let them start this trend! this is not a tradeable commodities!
this may not be $ corruption but power corruption! equally bad!
#24 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 5:36 pm
“The first question is how a politician who was finally dropped from the first Najib Cabinet because of his highly controversial record could be deemed to be appropriate and suitable for the choice overseas appointment as the nation’s Ambassador to the US?” – YB LKS
Well sometimes ambassadorship/foreign posting is precisely suitable (from the point of view of powers-that-be) for persons of controversial record. Whilst to many of us ambassadorship is a “choice overseas appointment as the nation’s Ambassador” deserving only the highest credentials for eligibility, unfortunately it is not always viewed in the same perspectives by the powers-that-be, and a foreign posting has been used as a convenient slot for people whose remaining in the center of power in KL/PutraJaya is expected to cause trouble and generate controversy either unto themselves or to their friends or people in power!
A foreign posting means the person is cut away from – and could not attract or stir any more trouble at – the center of power and influence. At the same time that person is given the perks and some rank as trade off.
It is traditional Malay Musyawarah way of easing a person out, in the way that saves face, in short, a politically dignified exit without altercations and power struggle. If he were a particularly favoured person, then the status of a minister is also thrown in as additional perk.
Now poster -ec- commented above, “we have to stop bn from turning the posts of ambassadors to be their political commodities. when cash (money politics or $ related corruption) is not so easy to get, positions and powers become their assets. beware! Pease do not let them start this trend! this is not a tradeable commodities….”
There is no starting of any trend. The trend is already there. Just three examples and precedents from the past:
· Facing allegations of corruption populist Selangor MB Harun Idris was offered a dignified exit as a Malaysian ambassador to UN by Tun Razak. Harun rejected the offer. So in Nov 1975 Harun was arrested and in 1976 (after Tun Hussein Onn took over), convicted of charges of corruption and expelled from UMNO. (Source : Malaysian politics under Mahathir by Robert Stephen Milne, Diane K. Mauzy)
· In 1987, Tengku Razaleigh challenged Mahathir for the presidentship of UMNO. Tun Musa Hitam, allied with Ku Li in Team B and resigned as Deputy Prime Minister, citing irreconcilable differences with Mahathir. The split forced the Malaysian court to declare UMNO as illegal. Shortly after the court ruling, Dr. Mahathir reestablished UMNO as UMNO Baru (New UMNO, Tengku Razaleigh went on his own path and found a new political party called Semangat 46 in 1989. In light of Musa Hitam deciding to retire from politics, Mahathir appointed Musa Malaysia’s Special Envoy to the United Nations between 1990 and 1991, and since 1995, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (Source : Wikipedia).
When Mahathir fell out with Anwar, the then PM also offered Anwar a graceful exit as ambassador to US, which Anwar declined. Shortly after that Anwar was sacked and prosecuted. (I remember reading this as one of Anwar’s reminiscences written from Sungai Buloh prison).
#25 by Tonberry on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 5:39 pm
Hopefully Jamaluddin Jarjis will not have itchy hands the moment he touches down at the airport.. [deleted]
#26 by newday on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 6:32 pm
I support the motion of JJ being Malaysian Ambassador to USA….the IQ and MORAL quotient of Malaysia instantly go up when JJ leaves the shores of Malaysia !!!
#27 by wanderer on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 7:25 pm
This is UMNO way of looking after its own…even if he is a d#ckhead!
Ambassador of Shame perhaps.
#28 by vsp on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 8:37 pm
chengho is a good ambassador for the punching bag on LKS blog.
Najib should promote chengho to be ambassador to Washington so that the Americans could enjoy bashing him up just as the denizens on LKS blog always get entertainment from his buffoonery.
#29 by Ramesh Laxman on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:11 pm
YB Lim,
Ambassadors are classified into three Groups by the receiving State. His Excellence, His Eminence and His Ignorance. The Sending State will be represented in a manner in which it deserves to be represented.
#30 by kerishamuddinitis on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 9:19 pm
Chengho,
You missed my point entirely.
Obama was elected by the people. They chose. They voted him in.
For the people of US to be able to see beyond the colour of his skin is the miracle. The majority of them are WASP.
The majority Malays in Malaysia are not yet ready to do so…regardless of whether liberal or moderate. But they cannot be blamed not when BN has for the last 51 years ingrained into the Malay psyche that they as the majority should and must enjoy exclusive privileges.
Forget TDM – he is Malay by his own insistence.
#31 by passerby on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 11:06 pm
The non-malays are not capable to be an ambassador for the country even to a 3rd rated country. That’s why no Chinese was given a PSD scholarship even with 16 1As! Tell us how many of those scholarship holders have passed their exams from Ivy_league schools? How many of them have become real scholars ( not those who have graduated from MARA who unashamedly calling themselves as one!)
We know how good and qualified and capable are the country representatives and the supporting staff. How often they have been criticized for not being able to interact with other foreign personnel from especially other Caucasian countries. How often we were told these pitiful morons would huddle together in one corner all because they could not communicate effectively in English!
Maybe the country should send all those who have been so good at speaking disparagingly against LKS to represent the country!
#32 by LBJ on Sunday, 17 May 2009 - 11:09 pm
American like to sue for the slightest thing – like the hands wondering to the wrong part of the body. I think JJ need both his hands chopped off to make sure he wont embarrass the country with law suits. No hands, no mischief, no law suits.
#33 by taiking on Monday, 18 May 2009 - 8:14 am
No. No. No. All of you missed the point completely. Umno is trying to export umno punya cara to the world. Rejected or failed politician masih boleh serve as vice chancellor, as ambassador, as high ranking civil servants etc etc. Where else could be a better place to start the internationalisation of the “cara umno” than US? If “cara umno” is patentable, umno surely would have it patented. It would bring loads of money to umno for money politics purposes – both internally and nationally (money politics already nationalised via the perak incident). By the way, money politics pun masih belum exported lagi. Another source of income in future. Its a v. niche market. Get it or not.
#34 by Bigjoe on Monday, 18 May 2009 - 8:27 am
He is the best choice because then he indulge in his favourtie pastime with Washington insiders who frequents the many available strip clubs and private expensive escort service that caters especially to the likes of them and get really cozy with them…
#35 by blablowbla on Tuesday, 19 May 2009 - 9:17 am
a proven corrupted guy still holding a MB post on a southern state,i think this is more serious than ambassador appointing case.
let JJ do what he likes in usa,it only intimidates his family and party,not us!