'Extremely shallow' to prioritise Trump-Anwar phone call, Nazri chides Ong
Published: Feb 8, 2025 10:11 AM
Updated: 5:06 PM
Summary
- Outgoing Malaysian envoy to the United States Nazri Aziz hits out at ex-Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.
- Nazri says the value of US investments in Malaysia should be a greater priority than a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- The former Padang Rengas MP urges Ong to come clean over intention to lobby for the ambassador's post.
Outgoing Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Nazri Aziz has dismissed criticisms launched in the final days of his two-year tenure, since the recent inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Specifically, Nazri addressed questions raised by former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming who accused him of failing to arrange for a phone call between Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
"I have responded to what was raised by the former MP (Ong) and I will not repeat it.
"I only want to state that it is extremely shallow to view arranging a phone call between Anwar and Trump as a priority.
"By right, what should be prioritised is the value of investments by US companies to Malaysia. But maybe, for a 'smart' person like Ong, this is not important," said the former Padang Rengas MP.
On Jan 21, Nazri's wife, Haflin Saiful, shared a photograph of the couple attending a Trump victory rally and holding a sign with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan which encompasses his administration's policies including on the war in Gaza.
Yesterday, Nazri confirmed that his two-year contract as a politically-appointed diplomat has ended and he will return to Malaysia on Feb 14.
The former minister, however, denied that he was being “recalled” before the end of his tenure.
Throughout his term in Washington, Nazri listed two major goals that he accomplished - the repatriation of two Malaysians detained in Guantanamo Bay, as well as improving Malaysia's ranking on the US annual trafficking in person index.
Unlikely to engage Trump’s team
Commenting further, Nazri said Ong should understand that it is unlikely for Trump's team to facilitate a call with Anwar, given the prime minister's and Malaysia's firm stance on the Palestinian issue.
Specifically, Nazri addressed questions raised by former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming who accused him of failing to arrange for a phone call between Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
"I have responded to what was raised by the former MP (Ong) and I will not repeat it.
"I only want to state that it is extremely shallow to view arranging a phone call between Anwar and Trump as a priority.
"By right, what should be prioritised is the value of investments by US companies to Malaysia. But maybe, for a 'smart' person like Ong, this is not important," said the former Padang Rengas MP.
On Jan 21, Nazri's wife, Haflin Saiful, shared a photograph of the couple attending a Trump victory rally and holding a sign with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan which encompasses his administration's policies including on the war in Gaza.
Yesterday, Nazri confirmed that his two-year contract as a politically-appointed diplomat has ended and he will return to Malaysia on Feb 14.
The former minister, however, denied that he was being “recalled” before the end of his tenure.
Throughout his term in Washington, Nazri listed two major goals that he accomplished - the repatriation of two Malaysians detained in Guantanamo Bay, as well as improving Malaysia's ranking on the US annual trafficking in person index.
Unlikely to engage Trump’s team
Commenting further, Nazri said Ong should understand that it is unlikely for Trump's team to facilitate a call with Anwar, given the prime minister's and Malaysia's firm stance on the Palestinian issue.
Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming
"Ong should also understand. If we are too eager for Anwar to speak to Trump on the phone, what is the use of our strong statements on the Palestinian issue?
"Or to Ong, the Palestinian issue is not important, and what is more important is to talk to Trump. By right, we should not compromise and defend our stance," he stressed.
Nazri also revealed that he was summoned by the US State Department five times based on Anwar's previous statements on Gaza.
This includes the premier’s defence of Hamas and meeting with its leaders; meeting with the late Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar; and defending Iran's right to retaliate following Israel's attack on its consulate in Syria.
Ong, in calling out Nazri's alleged failures, had suggested a list of potential successors including Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and former PKR MP Yusmadi Yusof.
‘Is Ong lobbying for envoy job?’
Nazri, however, claimed that Ong, a former deputy minister, was actually lobbying to be named as the next envoy to the US.
"There is no need to play politics. Just say that you want the position. That is easier than being busy finding my faults and weaknesses.
"For two years as an ambassador, I admit that I am not the best and certainly have many weaknesses.
"But before I was appointed to the position, I have never issued any statements to list out the weaknesses of past ambassadors," he stressed.
Nazri also reiterated that he had never lobbied for the position but instead was proposed by then prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"Ong should also understand. If we are too eager for Anwar to speak to Trump on the phone, what is the use of our strong statements on the Palestinian issue?
"Or to Ong, the Palestinian issue is not important, and what is more important is to talk to Trump. By right, we should not compromise and defend our stance," he stressed.
Nazri also revealed that he was summoned by the US State Department five times based on Anwar's previous statements on Gaza.
This includes the premier’s defence of Hamas and meeting with its leaders; meeting with the late Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar; and defending Iran's right to retaliate following Israel's attack on its consulate in Syria.
Ong, in calling out Nazri's alleged failures, had suggested a list of potential successors including Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and former PKR MP Yusmadi Yusof.
‘Is Ong lobbying for envoy job?’
Nazri, however, claimed that Ong, a former deputy minister, was actually lobbying to be named as the next envoy to the US.
"There is no need to play politics. Just say that you want the position. That is easier than being busy finding my faults and weaknesses.
"For two years as an ambassador, I admit that I am not the best and certainly have many weaknesses.
"But before I was appointed to the position, I have never issued any statements to list out the weaknesses of past ambassadors," he stressed.
Nazri also reiterated that he had never lobbied for the position but instead was proposed by then prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
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