WHEN news broke that American social influencer Nick Adams will be the next ambassador to Malaysia, it coincided with the last day of the 58th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings.
Adams created a lot of buzz not just in Malaysia. Even certain Singapore media organisations were more interested in stories on this naturalised American that they almost forgot the cringeworthy display of ignorance of the American ambassador nominee to Singapore during the US Senate confirmation hearing recently, as seen in the viral video clip of political appointee Dr Anjani Sinha struggling to answer questions from Senator Tammy Duckworth on Singapore and Asean.
It does come as a surprise how limited is his knowledge about Singapore, one of US close allies in the region. Well at least he told Duckworth he is aware that Malaysia is the Asean chair this year.
When US President Donald Trump announced Adams’s nomination, more details surfaced about him, thanks to his social media accounts.
We hear you loud and clear Mr Adams!
Malaysian politicians were swift in their reactions, asking the Malaysian government to reject Adams as the US ambassador. The PKR Youth International Relations Bureau chief Arief Izuadin said that the appointment of Adams is viewed with deep concern as his background is closely associated with extremist ideologies and divisive rhetoric in contrast to the values upheld by the Malaysian government and its people.
“Such a rejection should not be misconstrued as hostility but rather seen as a necessary measure to safeguard the integrity of bilateral relations and ensure that diplomatic envoys can contribute constructively, in a manner aligned with the shared aspirations of both nations,” said Arief.
On Friday, a group of PKR Youth members protested outside the US embassy and submitted a formal memorandum of protest.
Selangor PAS Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar said the government should uphold the dignity of a nation that consistently advocates humanitarian issues, especially Palestine.
“Nick Adams is not just a controversial figure. He openly spreads hatred towards Islam and supports the Zionist colonial regime without consideration,” he said.
However, a senior Malaysian official described reaction from certain parties as “being emotional rather than thinking rationally on this nomination.”
“He has to go through the Senate hearing first. Let’s wait,” said the official.
Adams’s nomination was announced by Trump as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Kuala Lumpur to meet his counterparts from the Asean region. It was the several firsts for Rubio including the first Secretary of State’s visit to Asia under Trump’s 2.0 administration and his first time meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who was also at the Asean gathering. Unlike what we see on TV, Rubio came off as a much friendlier person, feeling at ease taking impromptu questions from the media.
“His body language was friendly during official meetings unlike some of those in his delegation. He was professional in exchanging views and came off as a warm person,” said one official.
When asked why Adams was the right person to be nominated, Rubio replied: “The President makes those nominations. I support the nomination. He went through our process of the Presidential Personnel Office and we look forward to the Senate confirming him so he can get here (in Kuala Lumpur) and be part of our team.”
Trump’s political appointee to Malaysia raises the question of the value of the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the United States. Malaysia considers itself as an important partner to the US in many areas but when a controversial figure like Adams is being considered, we can’t help but to ask why?
Indian-born Dr Sinha, as expected, in his statement at the Senate confirmation hearing gave a long list of promises of what he intends to do while in Singapore. Although no hearing date has been set for Adams, I am quite sure many Malaysians will be interested to listen to what Adams knows about our country and more importantly if he would face similar grilling by the Senate members and give convincing replies.
We do not judge the person on where he likes to eat his steak or that he extols the virtues of American Greatness but Malaysia does not tolerate anybody who supports Zionism and is anti-Palestine. Malaysia and the US for the longest time have been at odds on the issue of Palestine. Sending someone with such a track record is clearly showing disrespect to Malaysia.
Does this nominee understand the culture and perspective of the country he has been assigned to or will he end up lecturing Malaysia on its policies?
But what if Adams is posted to Malaysia once he is confirmed, can Malaysia say no?
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil when
asked whether Malaysia has the right to reject Adams’s appointment said: “In diplomacy, there is a concept known as ‘agrément’, where the host country must first accept the nominee. The same applies in reverse – when Malaysia appoints its envoys abroad, approval from the host nation is also required.”
Malaysia’s political nominees have been rejected by the host government in the past. Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s nomination was rejected by the Swiss government simply because he was still a serving Member of Parliament. But he later went to Washington DC for a two-year term as the ambassador.
Sometimes, a foreign government can sit on the ‘agrément’, a subtle indication the nominee is not accepted.
Yes, we have every right to reject but if Malaysia takes such an action, there may be consequences. But it will be heroic if the government dares to say no, not just to Malaysians but many people outside the country.
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