New Malaysian ambassador reaffirms ties with US
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's new Ambassador to the United States, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, has reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening Malaysia-US bilateral relations during a credentials ceremony with President Donald Trump at the White House.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Washington, D.C., said Muhammad Shahrul Ikram presented his letter of credence to Trump during the presentation of credentials ceremony at the White House on July 24.
The ceremony officially marked him as the 18th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to the United States.
During the ceremony, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram briefly exchanged warm pleasantries with Trump, expressing his commitment to further enhancing bilateral ties, Bernama reported.
He also thanked the President for Secretary of State Marco Rubio's participation in the recent 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings, held in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to 11, which reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the region and the strengthening of the Malaysia-US Comprehensive Partnership, the embassy said.
Over the past six decades since 1957, Malaysia-US relations have grown into a multifaceted partnership encompassing political, economic, defence and security, educational, and people-to-people cooperation.
Muhammad Shahrul Ikram is a former secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry and a veteran diplomat with over 35 years of service.
Born in Pahang, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Ecology from Universiti Malaya and completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School in 2009.
Muhammad Shahrul Ikram began his career at the Foreign Ministry in 1988 as an administrative and diplomatic officer.
Throughout his career in public service, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram has served as Malaysia's ambassador to Qatar and Austria, as well as a permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.
His previous diplomatic postings included assignments at Malaysia's missions in Vienna, Washington, D.C., and Beijing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
13MP: Malaysia's 13th MP prioritises ports and shipping industry growth
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will prioritise strategic industries within a sustainable blue economy, including integrated fisheries hubs, coastal tourism, and blue bio-based technologies. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised plans to boost the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) sector by attracting investments to expand shipping capacity and upgrade bunkering infrastructure in key states. 'This initiative will contribute to Malaysia's target to become a competitive and sustainable regional maritime hub,' Anwar said during his speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament. The plan, themed 'Reshaping Development', outlines Malaysia's five-year strategy for 2026–2030. Key projects include modernising port infrastructure to support low-carbon maritime trade. 'This includes the construction of the third terminal at Carey Island, the development of the Westports 2 container terminal, and the expansion of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor,' Anwar added. - Bernama
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Sabah and Sarawak named national sustainable energy hubs under 13MP, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The federal government has placed special emphasis on elevating Sabah and Sarawak as Malaysia's competitive regional hubs for sustainable energy under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the five-year plan in the Dewan Rakyat today, said the initiative includes the development of the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub and the Sabah Energy Supply Guarantee — both aimed at strengthening the energy infrastructure in the two states. 'These efforts will attract high-impact investments and promote clean technology development, ultimately benefiting the people of Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. The government is also focusing on driving economic development in the east coast states of Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu by establishing a competitive, integrated national food production hub, expected to generate new economic opportunities, particularly for rural communities. Themed 'Melakar Semula Pembangunan' (Redesigning Development), the 13MP outlines the government's commitment to redesigning Malaysia's socio-economic development agenda for the 2026–2030 period. It aligns closely with the Malaysia Madani framework, a vision centred on human dignity, inclusivity, and sustainability. The plan sets out clear policies, strategies, and initiatives aimed at nation-building, improving public well-being, preserving environmental sustainability, enhancing governance, and positioning Malaysia for stronger regional and global economic growth. — Bernama
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
As Malaysia grows older, PM says Putrajaya to review retirement age in 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Malaysia's mandatory retirement age of 60 will be reviewed with the possibility of being raised, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). While tabling the plan in Parliament, Anwar said the government aims to increase the participation of older adults and minority groups in the labour market. 'The mandatory retirement age will also be reviewed to align with the transition to an ageing nation,' he said in his speech. Malaysia last increased its retirement age in 2012, when it was raised to 60. There have been recent proposals to raise this further to 65. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said previously suggested that such a move would better reflect current realities, such as increased life expectancy and better health outcomes. However, the proposal has faced opposition from groups such as the Malaysian Youth Council, which has argued that the policy is not suitable for Malaysia's current labour market dynamics. The proposal comes as Malaysia faces a rapidly ageing society. A projection released earlier this month by the Department of Statistics Malaysia showed the country's median age is expected to rise significantly, from 32.8 years in 2030 to 40.7 years in 2060.
