Anwar: US govt took six months to confirm Nazri’s appointment as ambassador

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to appoint Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz as the Malaysian ambassador to the United States didn’t happen during his administration, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that it takes as long as six months for the US government to confirm the appointment of an ambassador to the US.

"Sometimes there are those who get excited (on Nazri's appointment). It took six months for Malaysia to receive the confirmation on his appointment," said Anwar.

He added that the current government endorsed the appointment as cancelling his appointment would raise other problems.

Anwar was responding to criticism against the recent appointment of Nazri, who was the former Padang Rengas MP, as the Malaysian ambassador to US on Feb 9.

"The confirmation process from the other side is long. I confirm that I had delayed the appointment as I had to first form a Cabinet and then inform them before going ahead with the appointment of Nazri.

"To those who raise questions on this appointment, you can do so, but please find the (correct) information," said Anwar.

On Feb 9, the Foreign Ministry said the King had presented letters of credence to Nazri and nine other new heads of diplomatic missions during an official ceremony at Istana Negara.