Latest news with #USMalaysiaRelations
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Too early to decide on Nick Adams's nomination as US envoy, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will give the nomination of Nick Adams due consideration and, at the same time, maintain good ties with Washington. PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says it is premature for the government to decide on whether to approve conservative political commentator Nick Adams as the next US ambassador to Malaysia. Anwar said Putrajaya is following the proper protocol in considering foreign ambassadorial appointments. 'It is still too early (to decide),' he told reporters after Friday prayers here. 'Of course, the government will give it due consideration. At the same time, we will maintain good relations between Malaysia and the US.' US president Donald Trump has nominated Adams as Washington's new ambassador to Malaysia. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the US senate before he can assume the role. While no date has been set for the senate vote, Adams is expected to be approved as the Republican-held senate has backed every Trump nominee since he became president in January. Adams's nomination has faced opposition from former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who said Malaysia has every right under the Vienna Convention to reject the appointment without providing a reason. Zaid described Adams as a 'right-wing agitator and partisan provocateur' who is unfit to serve as a US ambassador because of his lack of diplomatic credentials. Adams previously criticised alleged efforts to 'teach Islam in schools'. Known to be a staunch supporter of Israel, he has said that those who expressed solidarity with Palestinians supported terrorism. Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar said accepting Adams's nomination will be seen as an insult to the country's Muslim community and Malaysians who support Palestine. PKR Youth today submitted a memorandum of protest to the US embassy over the nomination.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Dozens protest outside US embassy in Malaysia against Trump nominee for envoy
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday to protest against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams, a self-styled 'alpha male' influencer, as the United States' envoy to Malaysia. President Donald Trump last week named outspoken author and political commentator Adams as the White House's nominee for US ambassador to Malaysia. Adams, a naturalized US citizen originally from Australia, has cultivated a brash social media persona, using a macho, 'alpha male' branding to weigh in on cultural issues and appeal to an audience of mainly young men. But it is his posts harshly criticizing Islam and showing support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza that has angered Muslims in Malaysia, triggering a rare protest against a foreign diplomatic appointment in the Southeast Asian country. The outcry comes at a critical time for Malaysia, which has until August 1 to reach a trade deal with Washington to avoid a steep 25% tariff imposed on its exports to the United States. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters on Friday it was too early in the process to decide on Adams' appointment but his government would give the matter due consideration. 'At the same time, we will seek to protect the good relations between Malaysia and the United States,' Anwar said, according to a recording of his remarks provided by his office to Reuters. Demonstrators led by youth leaders from Anwar's ruling coalition submitted a memorandum of protest to the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur asking for Trump to reconsider his nomination of Adams. The memorandum cited 'divisive rhetoric' used by Adams, and characterized his postings as insensitive towards Malaysia's multi-cultural society. Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities, has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. 'An ambassador's task is to be the bridge between two countries and we don't want that person to be someone who destroys that bridge instead,' said Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim, a member of Anwar's People's Justice Party. The embassy and Adams' office did not respond to requests for comment. The protestors also called on Malaysia's government to exercise its right under international norms to reject Adams' proposed appointment. Under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, host countries have discretion to accept or reject ambassadorial appointments without having to provide a reason. Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said on Tuesday the cabinet had not yet received any formal notice of Adams' appointment to Malaysia.
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
One month to negotiate: Anwar says US still values Malaysia ties amid looming 25pc tariff, hopes for talks before August deadline
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the US still values its ties with Malaysia and also wants to continue working with other South-east Asian countries, after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio here today. The US had earlier this week announced a new tariff rate of 25 per cent which will take effect on August 1 on goods imported from Malaysia, and Anwar confirmed that he had discussed this matter with Rubio today. 'We raised the issue of tariffs by President Trump. He said that letter is a general letter but there is still one month's time to negotiate. 'And he knows Malaysia is the US' main trade partner in this region and he will give consideration and present our views,' Anwar said in an audio recording made available to the media. Anwar said their discussion largely focused on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). 'The US still considers its relationship with Malaysia to be important and also wants to maintain and increase cooperation with Asean and Asean nations, and understands our stand to have good ties and trade with all countries.' Anwar said Malaysia did not have to choose between its trade partners but could do business with all countries. 'While the US is an important trade partner, we will enhance our ties with China, Asean countries and other countries for the citizens' interest and for the nation's benefit.' Malaysia is currently chairing Asean, which has 10 members. Malaysia is also hosting the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 8 to July 11. Rubio arrived here today as part of the US delegation for a series of Asean-led meetings, and was reported to be expected to hold talks with senior Malaysian officials including Anwar.
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Malaysia's Anwar to Seek Lower Tariffs in Meeting With Rubio
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will appeal for lower tariffs when he meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, after President Donald Trump threatened to impose a steeper rate on the Southeast Asian nation. 'The relationship with US has to be maintained, but we will stress that Malaysia is a trading nation, we ask for consideration,' Anwar told reporters on Wednesday. 'When I meet Rubio tomorrow, I will certainly raise these issues for his consideration and also for him to take up for the final decision by President Trump.'
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Malaysia's Anwar to Discuss US Tariffs With Rubio on Thursday
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will appeal for lower tariffs when he meets Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday after President Donald Trump threatened to impose a steeper rate. 'The relationship with US has to be maintained, but we will stress that Malaysia is a trading nation, we ask for consideration,' Anwar told reporters on Wednesday. 'When I meet Rubio tomorrow, I will certainly raise these issues for his consideration and also for him to take up for the final decision by President Trump.'
