MOHAMED Nazri Abdul Aziz has denied that he was appointed the Malaysian ambassador to the United States as a result of cronyism, saying he was chosen to fill the role by the previous administration.

Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, the former Umno minister said Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s cabinet selected him to serve as the envoy in February 2022.

“The cabinet endorsed my name a year ago, and my name was sent to the US authorities in April last year. In September last year, it was approved,” he was quoted as saying. 

He said this absolved Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of cronyism.

“It was not Anwar who chose me; it was not him who started the appointment process which was done during Ismail Sabri’s era. 

“So it is clear there is no favouritism or cronyism,” he said. 

The former Padang Rengas MP said he had spoken to Anwar about the appointment in a meeting last December. Nazri said he had told the prime minister that he was free to revoke the decision.

“In that meeting, I told him that if he felt that my appointment was a burden on him, don’t do it,” said Nazri.

Nazri also said he was willing to work as an ambassador without a salary.

“This is not a matter of pay but responsibility because I think I can contribute to the government for two or three years,” he said.

At least two former diplomats have criticised Nazri’s appointment, which they said denied experienced people the chance to serve in the important role.

Former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar, however, said it was not at all unusual for a  politician to serve as an ambassador.

Anwar has said that he did not want to revoke the appointment because he did not want to delay the process any longer.  – February 14, 2023.