“Yes, I can confirm that. I have accepted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s invitation to receive the letter of appointment as ambassador tomorrow,” Tajuddin told FMT.

The post of ambassador to Indonesia has remained vacant since Zainal Abidin Bakar, who was appointed on March 21, 2019, retired on April 4, 2021.

Tajuddin’s appointment had raised eyebrows and invited criticism from several quarters including MPs, former diplomats, politicians, and civil society.

However, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob defended his appointment, saying that the former Umno elections director was a “seasoned politician and experienced”.

He added that Tajuddin’s appointment had been approved by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Tajuddin was previously part of Ismail’s entourage to Indonesia for a three-day official visit last November, leading to speculation that he would be appointed as the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia.

The Pasir Salak MP was removed from his post as Prasarana Malaysia Berhad chairman in May 2021, just days after his much-criticised press conference over a collision involving two LRT trains.