PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5 — Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman has confirmed that former Bayan Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim has been appointed the new Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia.

However, he said the official date of assuming his duty as the ambassador had not been finalised as it was still pending approval from the Indonesian Government.

Nevertheless, he said it would be “very soon”.

On the criteria under which Zahrain was selected, Anifah (picture) 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.”

He said this in response to a question by reporters after attending the ministry's Aidilfitri open house here today. — Bernama