Latest news with #Adams'
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia in tight spot as pressure mounts to reject Trump's ambassador pick
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's government is facing mounting calls to reject a self-styled "alpha male" influencer picked by President Donald Trump to be the next US ambassador, in a move that could risk damaging ties at a critical time of tariff talks between the two countries. The White House has proposed 40-year-old author and outspoken political commentator Nick Adams to the Senate as its nominee for ambassador to Malaysia, triggering concerns in the Muslim-majority nation over Adams' views on Islam and support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, among other sensitive topics. No date is set for the Senate vote, but Adams is expected to be approved, with the Republican-held Senate green-lighting every Trump nominee since he became president in January. Adams, a naturalised US citizen originally from Australia, has an outsized persona on social media and is known for his appeal among young males in the "manosphere", an online space for men's issues. He lists interests including a love for hot dogs, steak, muscle cars and restaurant chain Hooters, where servers wear revealing uniforms. In posts on online platform X, Adams has railed against alleged efforts to "teach Islam in schools" and described those expressing solidarity with Palestinians as supporters of terrorism. The posts have sparked outrage in Malaysia, which has a population of about 34.1 million. Ethnic Malays, who are constitutionally defined as Muslim, make up the majority at around 69.9 per cent of the population. Significant ethnic Chinese minorities, comprising about 22.8 per cent, and ethnic Indian minorities, making up approximately 6.6 per cent, adhere to other faiths. Malaysia has also long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejecting what he described as Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas. The youth wing of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat said this week it would submit a memorandum of protest to the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur against Adams' proposed appointment as envoy, adding any rejection "should not be misconstrued as hostility but rather seen as a necessary measure to safeguard the integrity of bilateral relations." Mohamed Sukri Omar, a member of Islamic opposition party Pas, said in a statement the appointment would be "an open insult towards the sensitivities of the Malaysian people", while a group representing 20 pro-Palestine organisations in Malaysia urged the government to reject Adams. Malaysian government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said on Tuesday Adams' appointment had not yet been raised in cabinet, which has the authority to accept new diplomatic appointments. Shahriman Lockman of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said protests from Muslim groups and ruling bloc allies could be too politically costly for Anwar's government to ignore, although Adams may be a useful conduit during trade talks due to his perceived closeness to Trump. Refusing Adams could also provoke retaliation from Trump at a time when Malaysia faces pressure to make trade concessions in exchange for lowering a potentially hefty 25% U.S. tariff, he said. "There's no elegant solution here. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't," Shahriman said. Adams' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an X post on July 10, he thanked Trump for the nomination, describing it as "the honour of a lifetime." Trump described Adams on Truth Social as "an incredible Patriot and very successful entrepreneur, whose love of, and devotion to, our Great Country is an inspiration." When contacted for comment, the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur pointed to remarks made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Malaysia last week. Rubio said he supported Adams' nomination and looked forward to his confirmation. Former diplomats said Malaysia was unlikely to reject Adams' appointment outright, but could make its objections known through informal channels or by delaying its approval. "That would send a subtle but clear diplomatic signal: we value the bilateral relationship, but we also expect a standard of decorum, cultural sensitivity, and respect appropriate to such a posting," said Ilango Karuppannan, a retired former Malaysian ambassador who was once deputy chief of mission in Washington. While concerns over Adams' appointment were unlikely to have a direct impact on trade negotiations, "the broader tone of the bilateral relationship always matters," he said. "A smooth, professional handling of this nomination can help ensure those trade discussions stay on track, while an avoidable public clash might risk unnecessary complications," Karuppannan said. Former Malaysia Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a member of the largely ethnic Malay opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, said Malaysia should stand firm in upholding its values despite Adams' relationship with Trump. "Yes it would be good to have a US ambassador who is very close to Trump... but you cannot compromise on certain principles," he said. Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said Adams' success as envoy would be highly dependent on his ability to win the trust of Malaysia's political and policy leadership. "If the comments he has previously made on social media are accurate depictions of his position on sociopolitical matters, he might find it challenging to do so, especially if he intends to make these positions publicly and explicitly known," she said.
Business Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Times
Malaysia under pressure to reject Trump's ambassador pick amid critical trade talks
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's government is facing mounting calls to reject a self-styled 'alpha male' influencer picked by President Donald Trump to be US ambassador, in what could risk damaging ties at a critical time of tariff talks between the two countries. The White House has proposed 40-year-old author and outspoken political commentator Nick Adams to the Senate as its nominee for ambassador to Malaysia, triggering concerns in the Muslim-majority nation over Adams' views on Islam and support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, among other sensitive topics. No date is set for the Senate vote, but Adams is expected to be approved, with the Republican-held Senate green-lighting every Trump nominee since he became president in January. Adams, a naturalised US citizen originally from Australia, has an outsized persona on social media and is known for his appeal among young males in the 'manosphere', an online space for men's issues. He lists interests including a love for hot dogs, steak, muscle cars, and restaurant chain Hooters, where servers wear revealing uniforms. In posts on online platform X, Adams has railed against alleged efforts to 'teach Islam in schools' and described those expressing solidarity with Palestinians as supporters of terrorism. The posts have sparked outrage in Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities of other faiths. Malaysia has also long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejecting what he described as Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas. The youth wing of Anwar's People's Justice Party said this week it would submit a memorandum of protest to the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur against Adams' proposed appointment as envoy, adding any rejection 'should not be misconstrued as hostility but rather seen as a necessary measure to safeguard the integrity of bilateral relations.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Mohamed Sukri Omar, a member of Islamic opposition party PAS, said in a statement the appointment would be 'an open insult towards the sensitivities of the Malaysian people,' while a group representing 20 pro-Palestine organisations in Malaysia urged the government to reject Adams. Malaysian government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said on Tuesday (Jul 15) Adams' appointment had not yet been raised in Cabinet, which has the authority to accept new diplomatic appointments. Shahriman Lockman of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said protests from Muslim groups and ruling bloc allies could be too politically costly for Anwar's government to ignore, although Adams may be a useful conduit during trade talks due to his perceived closeness to Trump. Refusing Adams could also provoke retaliation from Trump at a time when Malaysia faces pressure to make trade concessions in exchange for lowering a potentially hefty 25 per cent US tariff, he said. 'There's no elegant solution here. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't,' Shahriman said. Adams' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an X post on Jul 10, he thanked Trump for the nomination, describing it as 'the honour of a lifetime'. Trump described Adams on Truth Social as 'an incredible Patriot and very successful entrepreneur, whose love of, and devotion to, our Great Country is an inspiration.' When contacted for comment, the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur pointed to remarks made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Malaysia last week. Rubio said he supported Adams' nomination and looked forward to his confirmation. 'Tone matters' Former diplomats say Malaysia was unlikely to reject Adams' appointment outright, but could make its objections known through informal channels or by delaying its approval. 'That would send a subtle but clear diplomatic signal: we value the bilateral relationship, but we also expect a standard of decorum, cultural sensitivity, and respect appropriate to such a posting,' said Ilango Karuppannan, a retired former Malaysian ambassador who was once deputy chief of mission in Washington. While concerns over Adams' appointment were unlikely to have a direct impact on trade negotiations, 'the broader tone of the bilateral relationship always matters,' he said. 'A smooth, professional handling of this nomination can help ensure those trade discussions stay on track, while an avoidable public clash might risk unnecessary complications,' Karuppannan said. Former Malaysia Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a member of the largely ethnic Malay opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, said Malaysia should stand firm in upholding its values despite Adams' relationship with Trump. 'Yes it would be good to have a US ambassador who is very close to Trump... but you cannot compromise on certain principles,' he said. Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said Adams' success as envoy would be highly dependant on his ability to win the trust of Malaysia's political and policy leadership. 'If the comments he has previously made on social media are accurate depictions of his position on sociopolitical matters, he might find it challenging to do so, especially if he intends to make these positions publicly and explicitly known,' she said. REUTERS
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malaysia in a tight spot as pressure builds to reject Trump's 'alpha male' pick as ambassador
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's government is facing mounting calls to reject a self-styled "alpha male" influencer picked by President Donald Trump to be U.S. ambassador, in what could risk damaging ties at a critical time of tariff talks between the two countries. The White House has proposed 40-year-old author and outspoken political commentator Nick Adams to the Senate as its nominee for ambassador to Malaysia, triggering concerns in the Muslim-majority nation over Adams' views on Islam and support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, among other sensitive topics. No date is set for the Senate vote, but Adams is expected to be approved, with the Republican-held Senate green-lighting every Trump nominee since he became president in January. Adams, a naturalised U.S. citizen originally from Australia, has an outsized persona on social media and is known for his appeal among young males in the "manosphere", an online space for men's issues. He lists interests including a love for hot dogs, steak, muscle cars, and restaurant chain Hooters, where servers wear revealing uniforms. In posts on online platform X, Adams has railed against alleged efforts to "teach Islam in schools" and described those expressing solidarity with Palestinians as supporters of terrorism. The posts have sparked outrage in Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities of other faiths. Malaysia has also long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejecting what he described as Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas. The youth wing of Anwar's People's Justice Party said this week it would submit a memorandum of protest to the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur against Adams' proposed appointment as envoy, adding any rejection "should not be misconstrued as hostility but rather seen as a necessary measure to safeguard the integrity of bilateral relations." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report Asia Former deputy minister seen as surprise front runner for Malaysia's next Chief Justice: Sources Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Singapore Qantas flight from Singapore to Sydney delayed for days due to mechanical issues Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore New network links Home Team psychologists, mental health bodies to boost emergency response Mohamed Sukri Omar, a member of Islamic opposition party PAS, said in a statement the appointment would be "an open insult towards the sensitivities of the Malaysian people," while a group representing 20 pro-Palestine organisations in Malaysia urged the government to reject Adams. Malaysian government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said on Tuesday Adams' appointment had not yet been raised in cabinet, which has the authority to accept new diplomatic appointments. Shahriman Lockman of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said protests from Muslim groups and ruling bloc allies could be too politically costly for Anwar's government to ignore, although Adams may be a useful conduit during trade talks due to his perceived closeness to Trump. Refusing Adams could also provoke retaliation from Trump at a time when Malaysia faces pressure to make trade concessions in exchange for lowering a potentially hefty 25% U.S. tariff, he said. "There's no elegant solution here. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't," Shahriman said. Adams' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an X post on July 10, he thanked Trump for the nomination, describing it as "the honour of a lifetime". Trump described Adams on Truth Social as "an incredible Patriot and very successful entrepreneur, whose love of, and devotion to, our Great Country is an inspiration." When contacted for comment, the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur pointed to remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Malaysia last week. Rubio said he supported Adams' nomination and looked forward to his confirmation. 'TONE MATTERS' Former diplomats say Malaysia was unlikely to reject Adams' appointment outright, but could make its objections known through informal channels or by delaying its approval. "That would send a subtle but clear diplomatic signal: we value the bilateral relationship, but we also expect a standard of decorum, cultural sensitivity, and respect appropriate to such a posting," said Ilango Karuppannan, a retired former Malaysian ambassador who was once deputy chief of mission in Washington. While concerns over Adams' appointment were unlikely to have a direct impact on trade negotiations, "the broader tone of the bilateral relationship always matters," he said. "A smooth, professional handling of this nomination can help ensure those trade discussions stay on track, while an avoidable public clash might risk unnecessary complications," Karuppannan said. Former Malaysia Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a member of the largely ethnic Malay opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, said Malaysia should stand firm in upholding its values despite Adams' relationship with Trump. "Yes it would be good to have a U.S. ambassador who is very close to Trump... but you cannot compromise on certain principles," he said. Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said Adams' success as envoy would be highly dependent on his ability to win the trust of Malaysia's political and policy leadership. "If the comments he has previously made on social media are accurate depictions of his position on sociopolitical matters, he might find it challenging to do so, especially if he intends to make these positions publicly and explicitly known," she said. REUTERS
New York Post
a day ago
- Business
- New York Post
Eric Adams again denies $3.4 million in matching funds as probe digs into alleged misconduct
Mayor Eric Adams was denied millions in public matching funds in the latest obstacle for his uphill re-election bid as an independent – after his team celebrated a legal decision they thought would help fill his campaign coffers. The Campaign Finance Board refused to provide $3.4 million during Tuesday's meeting, saying the campaign still had yet to provide documents and information to the oversight agency as it continues a probe into alleged misconduct during his first campaign four years ago. 'The board investigation is ongoing,' said board chair Frederick Schaffer, adding the cache of documents remaining 'outstanding.' Eric Adams speaks at an event on July 14, 2025. Gregory P. Mango 'Mayor Adams' campaign has failed to qualify for matching funds,' he continued. The denial by the board comes just days after a federal judge ruled that the indictment — which spells out a slew of illegal fundraising allegations but has been formally killed — could not be used as a reason to deny the funds. Adams' camp was denied the funds in December last year, with the five-member panel citing delinquent requests for documents from the campaign and a 'reason to believe' that wrongdoing had occurred during Adams' run for City Hall in 2021. Schaffer addressed the late Friday ruling from the judge, noting the order determined that the board could deny funding based on the lack of cooperation with the board in its investigation and Adams' failure to fill out a conflict of interest form. Eric Adams sued Campaign Finance Board for denying him millions in matching funds Campaign Finance Board Insiders in Hizzoner's campaign celebrated the ruling, telling The Post Friday they were up to date with their paperwork and expected the funds to be unlocked this week. The ruling could prove — at least eventually — to be a boost for the mayor, who is running as an independent in the general election, where he will try to topple the current frontrunner and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. Adams will face an uphill battle, though, with three others — ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa and prominent attorney Zohran Mamdani — looking to beat the upstart socialist. All four are expected to cut into each other's votes and have jockeyed to get one another to drop from the ballot — but none are believed to answer the call to coalesce behind a single candidate to stave off a Mamdani majority
Rakyat Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Open Letter To PMX From Malaysian NGOs On Nick 'Alpha Male' Adams
Subscribe to our FREE Dear YAB Prime Minister, We are writing to express our deep concern regarding reports that Nick Adams is being considered for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia. Given Adams' controversial public statements and divisive rhetoric, we respectfully urge the Malaysian government to reject his accreditation should his appointment be formally proposed. Adams has a documented history of making inflammatory remarks that are inconsistent with Malaysia's values of moderation, multicultural harmony, and diplomatic decorum. His past comments on race, religion, and international relations risk undermining the strong bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States, as well as causing unnecessary friction within our diverse society. For example, he once boasted through a tweet that he had a waitress fired from her job simply because she was wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin on her blouse. He has misogynistic views and brags that he likes to visit a particular chain of restaurants which has servers wearing skimpy tops. Malaysia has long upheld principles of mutual respect and constructive diplomacy. Accepting an ambassador with a record of extremism and polarising views could harm Malaysia's reputation as a peaceful, inclusive nation and disrupt the positive relationship between our two countries. We request that the Malaysian government, in exercising its sovereign right to approve or reject foreign envoys, carefully evaluate Adams' suitability and consider the potential repercussions of his appointment. Malaysia deserves a U.S. Ambassador who embodies professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to fostering strong international partnerships. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We trust that the government will act in the best interests of Malaysia's national harmony and diplomatic integrity. Signed by: BDS Malaysia Palestinian Centre for Excellence GSPP Haluan Malaysia Viva Palestina Malaysia Muslim Care Malaysia ABIM Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR) MyCARE Citizens International IKRAM Pertubuhan Intelektual Perlis (PiP) PALESTINIAN FORUM MALAYSIA-PFM Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs Malaysia (ACCIN) Pertubuhan Agenda Wanita Malaysia (AGENDA) IKRAM Muda Malaysia Muslim Professionals Forum MAPIM Persatuan Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
