Umno Youth exco member Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin said he respected the Pasir Salak MP as a veteran in the party but maintained that Tajuddin’s recent actions showed he did not deserve the envoy’s post.

“There are many other leaders or former top government officials who are more qualified for the ambassador’s post.

“It’s not good for Malaysia’s image if the government sends someone who is bogged down by various controversies in his own country,” he said in a statement.

Muqharabbin warned that Tajuddin’s appointment would tarnish the party’s name, adding that removing him from the Umno Supreme Council was the right move.

He claimed that the former Umno election director was not a leader of integrity, after Tajuddin revealed internal party matters in a tell-all press conference on Monday.

Meanwhile, Cheras Umno Youth chief Johari Yazid said Tajuddin did not deserve to be Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia because of his hot temper and “uncivilised approach” to resolving issues.

He cited the MP’s much-criticised press conference over a collision involving two LRT trains, which eventually led to his sacking as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman.

He added that Tajuddin’s attack on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was irrational and simply aimed at tarnishing the party’s image.

“Therefore, on behalf of Cheras Umno Youth, I call on the party’s disciplinary board to take strict action against Tajuddin to send a clear message to all members that they are to prioritise the party’s agenda over their own interests.”

Yesterday, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai urged Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to scrap Tajuddin’s appointment as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia, saying the Umno man lacked the diplomatic skills for the job.

Ismail previously defended Tajuddin’s appointment as ambassador, saying that it was approved by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and that he was a “seasoned and experienced politician”.