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KUALA LUMPUR: It is “quite normal” for the positions of foreign dignitaries to be vacant for a time, as Wisma Putra must ensure that the host country completes its vetting process before anyone is appointed, says Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.
The foreign minister said that this time he also allows Wisma Putra to complete the necessary due process, adding that not having a Malaysian high commissioner in Singapore has not affected the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
I was commenting on the issue of the Malaysian High Commissioner post in Singapore, which has been vacant for the past six months.
On November 10, the Johor government called for the post of Malaysian High Commissioner in Singapore to be filled soon to better facilitate the issues involving thousands of Malaysians there, as Singapore has one of the most important foreign missions. from Malaysia.
“The process of appointing an ambassador or high commissioner involves a process of inquiry, not only on the part of Malaysia but also on the part of the host country. This process as far as Singapore is concerned, is ongoing,” Hishammuddin said.
He added that the development of Green Lane and the movement of people between Malaysia and Singapore have not been affected by the vacancy.
“It doesn’t become a problem and it happens in many counties. Bilaterally, we have had travel bubbles even without a High Commissioner. It is not that we do not have qualified people, but because there is an investigation process that is out of our control. Sometimes it’s fast and sometimes it takes longer, “Hishamuddin said.
He said this while speaking to the media after attending a series of preparatory virtual meetings with his foreign counterparts in conjunction with the 37th Asean Summit to be held on November 12 at a hotel here.
On November 10, the Chairman of the Johor State Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mohd Solihan Badri, said that the Malaysian High Commissioner for the Singapore post had been vacant for six months.
“Singapore has one of the most important foreign missions in Malaysia, with thousands of Malaysians staying and working there. I was surprised when they told me that the position had not yet been filled. The Johor government has asked the Foreign Ministry to expedite the task of filling the vacancy.
“The Mentri Besar visited the border checkpoint to control people entering the country from Singapore using the PCA (Periodic Commitment Agreement) and the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) in August and was not updated on the matter,” he said. .
Mohd Solihan said that while all services in the High Commission continue, including immigration matters, it is important for Malaysia to have its top diplomat in Singapore.
“This is especially when it comes to handling problems involving Malaysian workers or even negotiating the reopening of the border with the Singapore government,” he said.
The former Malaysian High Commissioner in Singapore, Datuk Zainol Rahim Zainuddin, retired in April.
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