logo
Fahmi: Malaysia has right to accept or reject proposed US envoy

Fahmi: Malaysia has right to accept or reject proposed US envoy

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has reaffirmed its sovereign right to accept or reject any proposed foreign ambassador, following public outcry over the reported nomination of pro-Israel commentator Nick Adams as the next United States ambassador to Malaysia.
Government spokesman and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil highlighted 'agrément', the procedure where a host country's approval is necessary for any accreditation of an ambassador.
"Similarly, when there is representation of Malaysia to a foreign country, it must be approved by the host country," he said at the handover of appointment letters for the founding members of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) today.
Fahmi said the cabinet has yet to receive a memorandum from Wisma Putra over the nomination.
The procedure, codified in international law, affirms the right for a host country to refuse any nomination without stating a reason.
Before concluding the press conference, Fahmi made a final declaration that highlighted Malaysia's firm stance on the Palestine issue: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that Adams will be nominated as the next American ambassador to Malaysia.
In a post on Truth Social, he described Adams as a remarkable patriot and a successful entrepreneur, praising his dedication to what he termed "the Virtues of American Greatness".
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Russia hints at deploying mid-range missiles after ending INF moratorium
Russia hints at deploying mid-range missiles after ending INF moratorium

The Sun

time9 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Russia hints at deploying mid-range missiles after ending INF moratorium

MOSCOW: Russia on Tuesday suggested it could deploy intermediate-range missiles after ending a self-imposed moratorium on producing or deploying the weapons, which were banned for decades under a Cold War treaty with the United States. Washington and Moscow had prohibited missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres (300-3,400 miles) under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. But US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal during his first term in 2019, accusing Russia of failing to comply. The Kremlin said at the time it would continue to abide by a moratorium if the United States did not deploy missiles within striking distance of Russia. Russia's foreign ministry said Monday it was ending the self-imposed restrictions, with the Kremlin hinting on Tuesday that Moscow could soon deploy the previously-banned missiles. 'There are no longer any restrictions in Russia in this regard. Russia no longer considers itself limited in any way,' President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters. Moscow was 'entitled, if necessary, to take appropriate measures' on the deployment of the missiles, he said, adding that there would be no public announcement if Russia decided to station the missiles. Putin said last year Russia should start producing mid-range missiles -- capable of carrying nuclear warheads -- after the United States sent some launch systems to Denmark for training exercises. Russia has also accused the United States of sending the systems to the Philippines and Australia for drills. 'The United States and its allies have not only openly outlined plans to deploy American land-based INF missiles in various regions, but have also already made significant progress in the practical implementation of their intentions,' Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. The move comes after Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines 'in the region' amid an online row with Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president. Medvedev on Monday said Russia's foes should be on standby. 'This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps,' he said in his first social media post since the row with Trump erupted. - AFP

Trump says he will ‘substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases
Trump says he will ‘substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Trump says he will ‘substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

US President Donald Trump said he will substantially raise tariffs on India. - Photo: Reuters WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs on Indian goods "over the next 24 hours' in response to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. Trump announced a 25% duty on India's exports to the US and has threatened repeatedly to increase that rate to punish the country for buying Russian energy, an effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. "We settled on 25% but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil,' Trump said Tuesday (Aug 5) in a CNBC interview. "They're fueling the war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy.' Trump has escalated his fight with India over trade, unilaterally imposing a tariff rate after months of negotiations failed to secure a deal. He accused New Delhi of refusing to ease access for American goods and criticizing its membership in the BRICS group of developing economies. The US president has also set an Aug. 8 deadline for Russia to reach a truce with Ukraine, with the administration threatening so-called secondary sanctions on countries that purchase energy from Moscow. Ukraine's allies say those purchases prop up Putin's war effort. Trump in the interview said that if energy prices went down it would undercut Putin's ability to continue his invasion of Ukraine - now in its fourth year. "If energy goes down low enough, Putin's going to stop killing people,' Trump said. "If you get energy down another US$10 a barrel, he's going to have no choice, because his economy stinks.' The Indian government has indicated it intends to continue talks with the US in hopes of securing lower tariffs. It has also called Trump's threat over energy purchases unjustified. India is considering ramping up natural gas purchases from the US and increasing imports of communication equipment and gold. - Bloomberg

Texas court upholds voter ID law for mail-in ballots amid political tensions
Texas court upholds voter ID law for mail-in ballots amid political tensions

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

Texas court upholds voter ID law for mail-in ballots amid political tensions

WASHINGTON: A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law requiring voters to provide identification numbers for mail-in ballots, a decision former President Donald Trump praised as a model for nationwide adoption. The ruling intensifies political clashes in Texas, where Republicans are pushing to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously supported the provision under SB1, a 2021 election law, stating the ID requirement helps verify voter eligibility. Judge James Ho, appointed by Trump, wrote that the rule ensures mail-in voters 'are indeed who they claim to be.' The decision reverses a 2023 block by US District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, who argued ID numbers were unnecessary for determining voter eligibility. Texas Republicans celebrated the ruling, while Democrats and civil rights groups warn it could disenfranchise voters over minor errors. Trump hailed the verdict on Truth Social, calling it 'GREAT NEWS' and suggesting it should apply nationwide. Meanwhile, Texas Democrats face escalating penalties, including fines and arrest warrants, after fleeing the state to block redistricting efforts. - AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store