Former government ministers and youth politicians in Muslim-majority Malaysia have condemned the nomination of right-wing influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador, calling it an insult to the nation. Donald Trump announced last week that Adams, a self-proclaimed 'alpha male', had been selected for the post, praising him as an 'incredible patriot'.
Adams’ past online comments and his support for Israel have prompted calls for the Malaysian government to reject his appointment. Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim urged the government to oppose the posting, stating that Malaysia 'should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological firebrands and partisan influencers'. Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin also voiced opposition, while transport minister Anthony Loke, secretary-general of the DAP party, is expected to oppose the appointment.
Adams, 40, who was born in Australia and obtained US citizenship in 2021, will need confirmation by the US Senate. He expressed his honour at the nomination on social media, saying he looked forward to strengthening ties and experiencing Malaysia's 'noble culture'. However, his comments about Israel have provoked particular concern in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Palestine which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
In a 2024 post on X, Adams stated: 'If you don’t stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!' Another alleged post, in which he claimed to have ensured a waitress was fired for wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin, has been widely cited by pro-Palestine groups and youth leaders. Sukri Omar, a youth leader with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), said the government should 'send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny'.
Political analyst Dr Bridget Welsh said the nomination reflected a lack of understanding of Malaysia's importance to the US, warning it risked pushing Southeast Asian nations 'into the arms of China'. Political relations between Malaysia and the US have become strained over Israel’s war in Gaza, US-China competition, and Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Malaysia.
