Cabinet yet to receive official memo on US ambassador pick, says Fahmi
Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said that in such matters, it is standard procedure for the Cabinet to receive a formal memorandum from the Foreign Ministry on any new ambassadorial or diplomatic appointment to Malaysia.
"As of now, the matter has not been brought to the Cabinet's attention. It may be presented once we receive further updates, but at this point, it has yet to reach the Cabinet,' he told reporters after presenting appointment letters to the founding board members of the Malaysian Media Council on Tuesday (July 15).
Asked whether Malaysia has the right to reject Adams' appointment, Fahmi pointed to diplomatic norms.
"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,' he explained.
International media previously reported that US President Donald Trump had nominated Nick Adams, an Australian-born conservative political commentator who is now a US citizen, to serve as US Ambassador to Malaysia.
The nomination has sparked debate, with former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin stating that Malaysia has every right to reject Adams' appointment, citing Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which stipulates that a receiving state may refuse any diplomatic envoy without having to justify.
Under diplomatic protocol, no country may send an ambassador without the host nation's prior consent, which is a key principle in international relations.- Bernama
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