Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the government has identified a candidate to serve as Malaysia’s next ambassador to the United States (US).
However, he stated that the appointment must receive the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
“There is a candidate, but as usual, the process requires the King’s consent.
“God willing, when I return from Bahrain next week and have an audience with the King, we can finalise the matter,” he told reporters after Friday prayers at As-Salam Mosque today.
On 8 February, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz confirmed that his two-year tenure as Malaysia’s ambassador to the US had ended, emphasising that he was a political appointee rather than a career diplomat.
Nazri has since expressed his desire to return and assist Anwar in the next general election but ruled out contesting the 16th general election.
In 2023, Anwar faced criticism over Nazri’s appointment, including from former ambassador to the Netherlands Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin and former Malaysian high commissioner to Canada Dennis Ignatius.
The prime minister defended the decision, stating that it was made during Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s administration and had been confirmed by Washington before he took office.
Earlier, former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar emphasised that Malaysia’s new envoy should be a capable and well-prepared ambassador to navigate complex international relations.
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah’s remarks came as former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming proposed five candidates for Malaysia’s next ambassador to the US. His suggestions included Nurul Izzah, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, former CIMB chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak, ex-MP Yusmadi Yusoff, and Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia chairman Faiz Abdullah.