KUALA LUMPUR: A career diplomat with experience should be appointed as Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, says Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien.
The Julau MP then said that a separate special envoy position be established for political appointments to fill the vacancy of the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States.
He said that two weeks after Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaders from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and other countries managed to contact him to extend their congratulations and strengthen cooperation.
"However, our Prime Minister has yet to reach out to Trump," said Sng while debating the Royal Address at the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 12).
He added that the two posts could accelerate diplomatic efforts and expand communication channels with the US government
Outgoing Ambassador to the US Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz confirmed on Feb 8 that his two-year term as ambassador had concluded, noting that he was merely a political appointee and not a career diplomat.
Sng then added that as the Asean chair, Malaysia must ensure that the close relationship with one of its main trading partners continues to be reinforced.
"As one of our country’s main investors and trading partners, the US is not only an important export destination but also a strategic partner in trade and investment," he said.
He also proposed establishing a special unit under the Prime Minister's Office, similar to the US Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), to streamline civil service operations.
"I agree with the steps taken by Trump to reduce bureaucratic red tape through the initiative of establishing a special unit like Doge, which is responsible for ensuring faster and more effective policy implementation."
"Furthermore, recent surveys in the US indicate that this measure enjoys strong support because it helps reduce waste and increases the productivity of the public sector," he said.
"If Malaysia adopts a similar approach, it could not only save national expenditure by cutting down unnecessary bureaucracy but also make the country more business-friendly, attracting more foreign and domestic investment."
"So, I propose the establishment of a special unit under the Prime Minister’s Office, which should be led by an experienced business leader who understands the needs of the industry and is capable of implementing efficiency principles in the nation’s administrative system," added Sng.
The advisory group created and headed by the world's richest man has been behind many of the most radical efforts to remake the US government in the weeks since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Elon Musk, whom Trump has asked to head Doge, is leading the effort to seize access to the federal payment system, dismantle an aid agency, and offer millions of federal workers an ultimatum—quit or face being fired.
