Trump's envoy pick Nick Adams a 'Catch-22' for Anwar, warns KJ

Trump's envoy pick Nick Adams a 'Catch-22' for Anwar, warns KJ


Published: Aug 20, 2025 3:29 PM
Updated: 6:24 PM


Malaysia has long stood at the forefront of supporting the Palestinian cause - not only through its foreign policy but also through the actions of its people, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

Beyond symbolic campaigns, Malaysians, particularly the Muslim majority, have gone further by wielding their consumer power to boycott businesses seen as linked to Israel.

The former minister argues this is where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a “political Catch-22” with Nick Adams, United States President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Malaysia, at the centre of the dilemma.

In his article published in Fulcrum, Khairy noted that Adams is “notorious for his misogynistic and anti-Islamic views” and has gone on record to state, “If you don’t stand with Israel, you stand with terrorism.”

“Accepting Adams could be seen as a capitulation to the pro-Zionist lobby in the US. It might also present Anwar’s government with an awkward dilemma, particularly if Adams continues with his public advocacy for Israel as US ambassador to Malaysia.

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin


“It will also likely cause an erosion of support for Anwar and his government from the Malaysian Muslim community. The acceptance of Adams can also be used as easy canon fodder for the opposition and the premier’s long-time nemesis, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is known for his long-established support for the Palestinian cause,” he added.

Trump retaliation risk

Khairy, however, warned that if the prime minister rejects Adams’ appointment, Trump could retaliate swiftly, viewing it as a personal affront since Adams is his handpicked nominee rather than a career diplomat.

“Countries have seen how Trump has weaponised tariffs to punish countries which run trade deficits with the US and are deemed to have offended the US president.

“If Malaysia snubs Adams, Trump could ratchet up the tariffs. This would only aggravate the economic impact on the Malaysian economy, which is forecast to grow at a slower rate of four percent in 2025 compared to previous predictions of 4.5-5.5 percent. This will hurt the pocketbooks of ordinary Malaysians and impact Anwar’s political capital.

“Just when Anwar appears to have emerged from the midterm blues with some momentum, he now faces an almost impossible dilemma,” he said.

Khairy said if Adams’ nomination wins approval in the US Congress, the decision will then rest with Malaysia, since under the Vienna Convention - the international treaty governing diplomatic relations - host nations are entitled to refuse recognition of an appointed ambassador, effectively blocking the candidate from taking up the post.

Nick Adams, United States President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Malaysia


“In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, this matter is likely to carry greater political weight than Anwar’s earlier diplomatic moves. The Thai-Cambodia ceasefire has little direct relevance to ordinary Malaysians, while the US tariff cuts remain a technical issue that the broader public struggles to grasp,” he added.

Khairy noted that, with around two and a half years left before the general election is due, Anwar cannot afford to allow his government to drift and lose momentum.

On July 21, Anwar said Malaysia would follow established diplomatic protocols when the time comes for the US to nominate its next ambassador to Kuala Lumpur.

This followed Trump announcing Adam’s nomination on social media, praising him as “an incredible Patriot and very successful entrepreneur” whose devotion to America serves as an inspiration.