M’sia minister says govt could reject Trump's chosen ambassador who made controversial comments about Islam

Malaysia reserves the sovereign right to accept or reject right-wing influencer Nick Adams as the country’s U.S. ambassador, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in response to growing criticism against Adams.

“In the realm of diplomacy, as the host country, a government must accept the name proposed by the sending nation. However, it is within our sovereign rights to determine whether to accept or decline the nomination,” Fahmi told reporters at a press conference on Jul. 15, Bernama reported.

This echoes a statement made by former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who cited Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It states that a receiving state need not justify its refusal of a diplomatic ambassador.

Fahmi also told reporters that the Foreign Ministry has yet to send a formal memorandum to the Cabinet for Adams’ nomination, as is required in standard procedure.

“Perhaps we will be updated in due course, but at present, no submission has been received,” said Fahmi, who is also Malaysia’s Communications Minister.

Calls to reject Adams

Since Trump nominated Adams for U.S. ambassador to Malaysia on Jul. 10, provoking a storm of controversy, some in Anwar's government have expressed disapproval towards him, according to The Star.

Adams, who was born Nicholas Adamopoulos in Australia, has a track record of controversial remarks about Islam and open support of Israel, seen as incompatible with a Muslim-majority country that has for decades supported Palestinian rights.

“Nick Adams is not a diplomat or a statesman. He is merely a far-right propagandist, a staunch Trump supporter, and a vocal supporter of the Zionist Israeli regime,” said Mus’ab Muzahar, the Youth International Bureau Chairman of Amanah, a party that is part of the ruling coalition.

Mus'ab also accused Adams of spreading "hatred" on social media and said it clearly does not match the spirit of "mature bilateral relations".

Another politician, Arief Izuadin from Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Youth International Relations Bureau, cited Adams’ so-called extremist ideologies and divisive rhetoric as reasons for concern, as well as their stark contrast with values upheld in Malaysia.

"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.”

He added that PKR Youth would submit a formal memorandum of protest to the U.S. embassy, requesting a more appropriate ambassador.

Opposing PAS party agreed

The opposing Selangor Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) party shared a similar take.

Its Youth Chief, Mohamed Sukri Omar, has urged the government, and more specifically the Foreign Ministry, to take a firm and clear stance against the nomination.

"Nick Adams is not just a controversial figure. He openly spreads hatred towards Islam and supports the Zionist colonial regime without consideration,” he said.

He added, "This appointment is an insult to the sensitivities of Malaysians. If the government remains silent or accepts this appointment, it will be seen as betraying the people's firm stance in supporting the Palestinian cause.”

"We urge the government to use its power to reject his nomination and send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny or a testing ground for Islamophobic extremism."

Top image via Nick Adams/Instagram