【By Zhang Jingjuan, Observer Group】The Trump administration has appointed Nick Adams, a right-wing internet celebrity who has made pro-Israel comments, as the next U.S. ambassador to Malaysia, which has sparked significant controversy in this Muslim-majority country.

According to The Guardian on the 16th, there have been calls within Malaysia for the government to reject Adams' appointment as ambassador. Zaid Ibrahim, former Malaysian minister of law and member of UMNO, criticized it as "an insult." Political analyst Bridget Welsh, who focuses on Southeast Asian issues, said that such an action by the United States could "push all Southeast Asian countries into China's arms."

Zaid Ibrahim believes that Malaysia "should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological agitators and party celebrities," and that the nomination of Adams is "not a kind act, but an insult."

Photo of Adams (left) supporting the edgy internet restaurant "Owl" with a caption boasting himself as an "alpha male" AdamsX

Also urging the government to oppose Adams' appointment was Khairy Jamaluddin, former Malaysian minister of health and non-partisan figure.

Additionally, Lim Keng Hooi, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party and current transport minister, also opposed Adams' appointment, and his party plans to issue a statement on the matter.

According to The Straits Times on the 14th, Arief Izuadin, head of the international department of PKR Youth, stated in a statement that refusing to accept Adams as the new ambassador should not be misunderstood as hostility, but rather as a necessary measure to maintain the integrity of bilateral relations, ensuring that diplomatic envoys can make constructive contributions in line with the shared vision of both countries.

He added that the PKR Youth plans to submit a formal memorandum to the U.S. embassy to protest, urging the U.S. to appoint a more moderate, respected, and internationally minded individual. This person should embody the long-standing spirit of mutual respect and cooperation that has supported the relationship between the two countries.

Mohamed Sukri Omar, head of the youth wing of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) in Selangor, also stated in a statement that the Malaysian government should take a firm and clear stance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect public sentiment.

He also pointed out that Malaysia has consistently spoken out on humanitarian issues, especially regarding Palestine, and the government should uphold this national dignity.

Adams The Washington Post

Last week (9th), the White House submitted a list of overseas ambassadors to the Senate, including Adams. Other nominees are set to become ambassadors to Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Kazakhstan.

The next day, Trump posted on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social" to "congratulate" Adams, calling him a "great patriot" and a "very successful entrepreneur."

Adams later publicly thanked Trump for the nomination and pledged that he would "never waver" in representing American national interests, whether in the U.S. or abroad.

He said he looked forward to strengthening relations between the two countries and told Malaysian people that he was eager to experience the local culture.

Currently, the nomination still needs confirmation from the Senate.

In the U.S., overseas ambassadors are usually not career diplomats, but rather tools used by the president to reward supporters. However, even with this "custom," the choice of envoy to Malaysia seems extremely absurd.

At 40 years old, Adams was born in Australia, moved to the U.S. in 2012, and became a U.S. citizen in 2021.

Adams is a supporter of "Make America Great Again" (MAGA). He describes himself as an "alpha male." An "alpha male" refers to a dominant male in a group who considers himself superior in both psychological and physical aspects.

He has a large following on social media platforms X and Instagram, and often makes provocative remarks. His personal page on X introduces him as "the favorite author of President Trump."

Hong Kong English media South China Morning Post reported that Adams has frequently appeared on the headlines of American news, such as once calling pop star Taylor Swift "a shameless and indecent woman" and another time calling for a boycott of the Mars chocolate brand for its packaging that praised women.

He also gained attention by publicly calling for the rescue of the Owl chain restaurant, which is known for its sexy waitresses.

In 2024, Adams posted on X saying, "If you don't support Israel, you're supporting terrorists!"

In another post, he claimed that he had fired a female server wearing a "Free Palestine" badge and stated that he "would not tolerate serving people who support terrorism." However, the post is no longer available on the X platform.

Owl chain restaurant servers Fox News

Malaysia is a staunch supporter of Palestine and has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Adams' past online comments and his public support for Israel have caused backlash in Malaysia.

Sukri Omar, a youth leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), stated that the Malaysian government should "send a clear message: Malaysia will not become a stage for normalizing Zionist atrocities..."

Regarding the cited posts and the criticism of his appointment, Adams and the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia have not responded to requests for comment.

Political analyst Welsh, who focuses on Southeast Asian issues, pointed out that Adams' appointment reflects the U.S. disregard for the importance of Malaysia and the entire Southeast Asia region. "The U.S. has not truly recognized or deeply understood the key role Malaysia plays in the U.S. economy and the significance of these relationships in security issues."

Welsh also mentioned China, stating that such a decision could "push Southeast Asian countries into China's arms."

The Guardian noted that in recent years, due to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Sino-American competition, and Trump's threat to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysia, political relations between the U.S. and Malaysia have gradually become tense.

"Anti-American sentiments have taken root in a large part of the Malaysian population, especially on issues like Gaza and Iran... Can Adams demonstrate diplomatic grace? His comments on X raise doubts," Welsh said.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Group. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527966746326647334/

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