Ismail added that the former Umno Supreme Council member’s appointment as ambassador to Indonesia had already been approved by the Cabinet and endorsed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Let’s not question the Agong’s authority. He has endorsed the appointment, we cannot backtrack,” he said at an event at Universiti Malaya.

Ismail said the official appointment of Tajuddin was supposed to have taken place two weeks ago, but was postponed as the Agong was unwell. However, he said the appointment will take place but did not say when.

When asked if he was ready to play “mediator” to settle alleged conflicts within the party, Ismail said that there was no need as “there is only one camp in Umno”.

On Wednesday, several Umno Youth leaders joined earlier calls for Tajuddin’s appointment as Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia to be withdrawn.

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.

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’s integrity had come into question after Tajuddin’s tell-all press conference last 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 added that Tajuddin’s attack on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at his press conference was irrational and aimed at tarnishing the party’s image.