Former Penang PKR chief and Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim has been appointed the new Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia.

This was confirmed by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, according to Bernama .

On the selection criteria, Anifah said: "We never look at the background... political background and political affiliation, as far as Wisma Putra is concerned.

"We (Wisma Putra) are trying to put the best person available for the position (of ambassador) to any particular country."

His appointment is currently pending clearance by Indonesia and his official date of commencement is expected to be announced soon.

Zahrain was the first of five MPs to quit PKR between 2010 and 2011. The remaining four are Tan Tee Beng, Wee Choo Keong, Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri and N Gobalakrishnan .

The five formed a pro-BN independent bloc in the Dewan Rakyat alongside Zulkifli Noordin and Ibrahim Ali during the 12th session of Parliament.

Of the five who defected, Zahrain was the most senior in PKR and among the staunchest critics of the party during his stint in the independent bloc.