Nazri was appointed ambassador to US last year - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR - Former Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s appointment as Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States was decided one year ago.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a new letter of credence was needed as the United States took up to six months to confirm his appointment.

He said he even asked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to postpone the appointment until the Cabinet line-up was completed first.

“Sometimes people make haste comments. The appointment was made a year ago, it took six months for the United States to confirm it.

“After it was approved, I took over the government. I had asked to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to postpone the presentation of the letter of credence so I could complete the Cabinet line-up first, I needed to inform the ministers,” he said during the Housewives Social Security Scheme launch at MYFutureJobs Career Carnival 2023 today.

Anwar also said multiple issues would arise if the government wanted to cancel Nazri’s appointment.

“People can give their opinions but please know the story first. Ask first. Don’t simply condemn.

“Right now they are angry as though we are at responsible for it,” he said.

On Feb 9, Sinar Daily reported that the King had presented 10 letters of credence to diplomatic heads of missions including Nazri as the ambassador to the US.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry stated that Nazri, who is a law graduate from Lincoln’s Inn in the United Kingdom, was qualified thanks to his extensive experience in public administration and the Malaysian Cabinet.

Nazri's appointment drew flak not only from Internet users but also former diplomats.