By Usha Muthusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 July 2025: Pressure is rapidly building in Malaysia for the government to reject the proposed appointment of conservative author and political commentator Nick Adams as the next United States ambassador. Adams, nominated by US President Donald Trump, has drawn widespread condemnation in the Muslim-majority nation due to his outspoken pro-Israel stance and past remarks criticized as insensitive towards Islam.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, protesting Adams’ nomination. Organized by parties including Pemuda PH (Pakatan Harapan Youth), the protests highlighted concerns over Adams’ “divisive rhetoric” and his public support for Israel, which has deeply angered Muslims in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. A memorandum submitted to the US Embassy called on Trump to reconsider the nomination, stating that an ambassador should bridge relations, not destroy them. Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim, a member of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s People’s Justice Party, emphasized, “An ambassador’s task is to be the bridge between two countries, and we don’t want that person to be someone who destroys that bridge instead.”
Nick Adams, a naturalized US citizen originally from Australia, is known for his brash “alpha male” social media persona and critical views on liberal policies. His posts expressing strong support for Israel’s actions in Gaza have fueled a rare backlash against a foreign diplomatic appointment in the Southeast Asian country. Reports also indicate past comments questioning remarks by Pope Francis regarding love for Muslims, further contributing to the controversy.
In response to the growing public outcry, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated on Friday that it is “premature to comment” on Adams’ nomination at this stage. He affirmed that Malaysia would adhere to existing diplomatic protocols, emphasizing that the government would give the matter “due consideration” while simultaneously striving to “maintain good relations between Malaysia and the United States.”
Former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has weighed in, asserting Malaysia’s right to reject Adams’ appointment. He cited Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which grants a receiving state the right to refuse any diplomatic envoy without providing justification. Under international diplomatic protocol, a host nation’s prior consent is a fundamental principle for any ambassadorial appointment. Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had previously noted that the Cabinet had yet to receive an official memorandum from Wisma Putra (Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) regarding the nomination.
The nomination comes at a sensitive time for Malaysia, which is facing a critical August 1 deadline to secure a trade deal with Washington. Failure to reach an agreement could result in a steep 25 percent tariff imposed on Malaysian exports to the US, a scenario Trump has suggested could be avoided if Malaysia shifts manufacturing to the United States. This geopolitical and economic backdrop further complicates the diplomatic considerations surrounding Adams’ controversial nomination.
