Bernard Dompok in line to be Malaysia's first ambassador to the Vatican
MUGUNTAN VANAR
THE STAR
KOTA KINABALU: Former federal minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (pic) is in line to be Malaysia’s first ever resident ambassador to the Vatican.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had agreed for Dompok to be the ambassadorial candidate to the Vatican.
Dompok is expected to begin his duties as early as January next year, after the necessary paper work is completed, including obtaining approval from the Vatican authorities.
He said Dompok, a former Sabah chief minister and also Upko president, would be based in Rome.
He will also be ambassador for Malta and Albania once his appointment was finalised.
"We feel that he is the right choice in many aspects. He has also been on official visits to the Vatican with Malaysian delegations.
"He has also met several previous Popes during his visits," Anifah told reporters after meeting his visiting Czech Republic counterpart Lubomir Zaoralek here Monday.
Malaysia formalised relations with the Vatican in 2011 after Najib's visit to the Vatican that year to promote Putrajaya's push for world peace and harmony.
Dompok, who quit politics after he lost the Penampang Parliamentary seat in the 2013 general elections, was a member of Najib's entourage that met Pope Benedict XVI. He had also accompanied former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the Vatican in 2002.
KOTA KINABALU: Former federal minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (pic) is in line to be Malaysia’s first ever resident ambassador to the Vatican.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had agreed for Dompok to be the ambassadorial candidate to the Vatican.
Dompok is expected to begin his duties as early as January next year, after the necessary paper work is completed, including obtaining approval from the Vatican authorities.
He said Dompok, a former Sabah chief minister and also Upko president, would be based in Rome.
He will also be ambassador for Malta and Albania once his appointment was finalised.
"We feel that he is the right choice in many aspects. He has also been on official visits to the Vatican with Malaysian delegations.
"He has also met several previous Popes during his visits," Anifah told reporters after meeting his visiting Czech Republic counterpart Lubomir Zaoralek here Monday.
Malaysia formalised relations with the Vatican in 2011 after Najib's visit to the Vatican that year to promote Putrajaya's push for world peace and harmony.
Dompok, who quit politics after he lost the Penampang Parliamentary seat in the 2013 general elections, was a member of Najib's entourage that met Pope Benedict XVI. He had also accompanied former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the Vatican in 2002.
