KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — Former deputy minister Prof Ong Kian Ming has criticised Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz for “failing” as Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has yet to speak with President Donald Trump.
Ong stressed the role’s significance under Trump’s second term and suggested more suitable candidates, including Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah, banker Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, and Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
“The leaders from our neighbouring countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore, all had calls with President-elect Trump before his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
“These calls are important ‘signals’ in the diplomatic community as they indicate a country’s ability to reach out to the then soon to be most powerful person in the world,” the Taylor’s University pro vice-chancellor said in a statement here.
Ong outlined key responsibilities of the ambassador, such as engaging US cabinet officials and congressional representatives, as well as promoting Malaysia through talks in Washington DC and social media — noting that Nazri lacks personal accounts on Instagram and X.
He said the next ambassador should have direct access to Anwar, be familiar with key Malaysian Cabinet members, and effectively engage stakeholders in the US power structure.
Besides Nurul Izzah, Nazir, and Tengku Zafrul, Ong also proposed Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, and PKR leader Yusmadi Yusoff, for the role.
Ong called for immediate action while a new ambassador is appointed, suggesting a high-ranking minister visit Washington DC to personally invite Trump to the Asean Summit in Malaysia this year.
“Whether or not President Trump attends is a separate story. The signal that such a visit and such an invitation will send to President Trump and the White House, and to the international community, would be important in of itself,” Ong said.
“During this visit, other high-level engagements with members of Trump’s cabinet and senior officers in the White House should also be arranged, using our leverage as the chair of Asean and demonstrating our leadership in engaging with the United States.”
Ong’s remarks follow public criticism of Nazri’s after he was seen holding a “Make America Great Again” sign at Trump’s victory rally.
