PARLIAMENT The government was asked in the Dewan Rakyat to clarify the status of former PKR parliamentarian Zahrain Hashim, who has been appointed ambassador to Indonesia.

NONE Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainudin did not list Zahrain among politicians who have become ambassadors in his reply to Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) during Question Time

Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai, right ) picked up on the issue at a press conference in the Parliament lobby.

"Has the appointment been cancelled? Or has the Indonesian president not been notified of his appointment?" Hatta asked.

He said PAS has photographic evidence that Zahrain had attended a briefing at Wisma Putra earlier this month, conducted by the Foreign Ministry for all newly-appointed ambassadors.

"We are sure he attended this briefing, but why he was not mentioned by the deputy minister?"

NONE In the House, Mahfuz (left) had asked the deputy minister to list the appointments to Indonesia and India specifically, but Hamzah merely chided the opposition.

"If you want to blame a former friend, this is not the way," Hamzah said curtly, referring to Zahrain’s exit from PKR in 2010 to became a ‘BN-friendly’ Independent.

           

His appointment as ambassador was confirmed by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on Sept 5.

But Mahfuz described the appointment as one favouring "political pensioners" as opposed to selecting a qualified individual or civil servant from the ministry.