By Rohani Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's new Ambassador to the United States (US) is a trained diplomat and an ambassador with extensive experience in negotiations and international relations, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said that these qualities were crucial for Malaysia's Ambassador to the US, given the broad and significant bilateral ties between Malaysia and the US, especially in terms of trade and economic cooperation.
In addition, the current situation in the country under the new administration of President Donald Trump, as well as Malaysia's plan to host the ASEAN-US Summit this year in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, were also key factors in the selection of the candidate.
"Therefore, we cannot take the appointment lightly and send just anyone," he said when speaking to the press at the ‘Santai Teh Tarik’ session at the Concorde Club here today.
Also present at the programme was Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Mohamad said the nominee for Ambassador has also been approved by the United States, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now in the process of obtaining the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the government had selected a candidate for Malaysia's Ambassador to the US to replace Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, whose two-year term ended earlier this month.
-- BERNAMA
