Will Anwar reject pro-Zionist, Trump apple-polisher as US ambassador?

The imminent appointment of one of the most fanatical supporters of Donald Trump as the Washington's ambassador to Malaysia has posed a huge diplomatic headache to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, adding to the judicial quagmire into which he was thrust following explosive revelations of political meddling in the search for a chief justice.

This comes as calls grow for Putrajaya to reject the nomination of Nicholas Adams, an Australia-born naturalised US citizen best known for his adultation of Trump and his controversial policies on tariffs, migration and the Palestine conflict.

Component party leaders from Pakatan Harapan (PH) have joined opposition parties and pro-Palestine activists in urging Putrajaya to reject Adams, many citing the Vienna Convention which allows a receiving country to decline a foreign ambassador.

"So the government will be tested soon. This Zionist turd has been nominated by Trump as the next US ambassador to Malaysia," said former minister turned podcaster Khairy Jamaluddin.

But whether Anwar's government – already facing criticism for its failure to secure a fair settlement with the Trump administration on the imposition of tariffs on Malaysia – can flex its muscles, even within the ambit of international law, remains to be seen.

A senior Amanah leader, speaking to MalaysiaNow on condition of anonymity, said with Anwar's previous friends in the US administration stripped of influence in Washington's power circles, the White House's confirmation of a 25% tariff on Malaysian goods was a foregone conclusion.

"Indonesia got a better deal. But here we are, placing orders for Boeing and our trade minister stooping low with his antics outside the White House, only to be slapped with an additional 1% in tariff," said the Amanah leader, referring to online mockery of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz who had posted pictures of himself, jogging outside the White House.

But with a temperemental leader like Trump at the top, diplomatic sources said Malaysia must be prepared for a major fallout with Washington should it reject Adams' nomination.

"Rejecting a nomination – and one from Trump, in particular – is a serious matter and could lead to a rupture in bilateral relations," said veteran Malaysian diplomat Dennis Ignatius.

'Swallow our pride'

Ignatius, who last served as ambassador to Canada, agreed that Adams was "wholly unqualified for the post", especially given his staunch support for the Zionist regime.

But he said any move to reject the nomination would escalate "an already tense relationship and render any resolution to the many important issues already on the table impossible".

"We might therefore have to swallow our pride and accept Adams' ill-considered nomination. If Adams is as close to Trump as it is made out to be, he might serve a useful purpose as a conduit to the White House. God knows, we need all the friends we can get in Trump’s America," Ignatius told MalaysiaNow.

Despite traditionally being opposed to US policies worldwide, Malaysian governments over the decades have had cordial ties with Washington, taking into account the huge trade surplus.

Ties took a dip during the era of Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the wake of the Asian currency crisis as well as US support for opposition figures during his tenure. 

But even at the height of Mahathir's internationally acclaimed remarks against the US and its support for Israel, the US and Malaysia continued to enjoy healthy diplomatic ties.

Various US administrations also resorted to soft diplomacy by sending ambassadors familiar with local culture, most notably the Malay-speaking American diplomat Brian David McFeeters, who led the US mission in Kuala Lumpur until August 2023.

Ignatius said it was rare for governments to reject an ambassadorial nominee.

But he said there were other methods to make Malaysia's dislike known, including ignoring a request for "agrément", a term in diplomacy referring to consent to a foreign ambassador.

Mahathir's way

Ignatius also recalled another effective method Mahathir had used.

"The government is not without means to win over recalcitrant ambassadors or school them if needed. Mahathir did it quite successfully with a previous US ambassador who got too effusive in his support for Anwar Ibrahim," he said in a possible reference to  John Mallot, a former US ambassador who backed Anwar following his dismissal from government in 1998.

Meanwhile, Adams continued to be lambasted by Malaysians, including politicians from both sides of the divide.

At the heart of the public outrage is his staunch support for Israel. Last year, he wrote on X: "If you don’t stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!"

Many also point to an incident last year where he boasted of how he had gotten a restaurant owner to sack a waitress for wearing a pro-Palestine pin while serving him.

"Please do this when you're in KL or any part of Malaysia. Since you claim you're an alpha male, make sure you have no bodyguard with you," said a social media post.

Despite the public outrage, Adams is expected to have no problem getting his nomination confirmed by the US Senate.

Speaking in his thick Australian accent, the 40-year-old cancer survivor looks set to arrive in Kuala Lumpur, in a short speech posted on his Substack website where he praised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the "great people Malaysia".

"It is Mr President, my honour, to represent and serve our nation before King Ibrahim Iskandar and his people," Adams added.