“Nurul Izzah, Tengku Zafrul, Nazir Razak are ideal replacement for Nazri Aziz as US ambassador”

“Nurul Izzah, Tengku Zafrul, Nazir Razak are ideal replacement for Nazri Aziz as US ambassador”






HAVING hit out at Malaysian ambassador to the US Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz for failing to sell Malaysia to the world’s largest economy, former DAP lawmaker Dr Ong Kian Ming has named former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz as ideal successors.


While Nurul Izzah has crony ties by virtue of being the daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tengku Zafrul’s senatorship which qualifies him for a ministerial position will expire end-2025


“Nurul Izzah is a key aide (to PMX) while Tengku Zafrul has proven himself to be a trusted minister to the PM and more than capable when it comes to diplomatic and economic engagements,” opined Ong highlighted in a media statement.


Aside from Nurul Izzah and Tengku Zafrul, the former Bangi MP also thought highly of former CIMB Group chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak “who is a well-known corporate figure and is familiar with many of the politicians in the Malaysian cabinet”.

From left: Nurul Izzah Amwar, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and Tan Sri Nazir Razak 

(Image credit: The British Malaysian Society/Facebook)


Earlier, Ong observed that Nazri’s most obvious failure as US ambassador does not lie in his displaying of the “Make America Great Again” poster but for his failure to fortify Malaysia’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement with the world’s largest economy.

In the former International Trade and Industry deputy minister’s view, Nazri’s most obvious failure lies in his inability to arrange for a phone call between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President-elect Donald Trump after Trump won the US presidential elections in November 2024.

“These calls are important signals in the diplomatic community as they indicate a country’s ability to reach out to the then soon to be most powerful person in the world.

“Even after President Trump’s inauguration, Malaysia has not managed to leverage our position as the chair of ASEAN to get a call between PMX and President Trump,” added Ong who is currently Taylor’s University’s pro vice-chancellor (external engagement).

His two other nominees are:

• Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah who is currently providing important inputs on foreign policy to PMX, including in his speeches overseas; and
• Long-time PKR leader Yusmadi Yusoff who is a member of PMX’s inner circle and former MP and senator. – Feb 7, 2035

Main image credit: haflinnazrinaziz/Instagram

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kt comments:

Oft have been the times politicians of significance to the party but at that time 'awkward' in his/her presence ('awkward' in most sense means the party doesn't know where or how to place him/her in the frontline), would be "posted" as ambassadors to foreign nations.

In Australia I know of at least 3 cases where such did occur:

(i) Kim Beazley, a former Labor Party Head, but who lost the elections and failed to make PM, was subsequently made Ambassador to the USA, and 

(ii) Kevin Rudd, a former Labor PM (twice) but who was rather 'unwanted' by his party was also appointed by the Albanese Labor govt as Ambassador to the USA. Currently Rudd is in a similar "embarrassing position as an envoy" like Britain's Lord Mandelson, the to-be Ambassador to the USA. Both had openly frigged Trump, wakakaka, probably thinking the Clown was unlikely to return as President, and

(iii) Alexander Downer, a very experienced (and senior) member of the Australian Liberal Party who became Liberal Party leader but who never quite made it to be PM. He was appointed High Commissioner to the UK by Liberal PM Tony Abbot.

There were more, some as consulates.

If Pakatan Harapan wants to "remove" members like Nurul Izzah sideways, or UMNO desires "awkward" members like Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz to be absent (and hopefully forgotten), wakakaka, the Ambassadorship will be most convenient.

How about Tokong? wakakaka - alas, he is Type 'C' so tak bisa jadi lah.

As usual I propose we send a "VERY" experienced ex-politician to be consulate in a southern Indian State, wakakaka.