Dozens protest in Malaysia against ‘alpha male’ Trump nominee for US envoy

KUALA LUMPUR – Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 to protest against the proposed appointment of Mr Nick Adams, a self-styled “alpha male” influencer, as the US envoy to Malaysia.

US President Donald Trump last week named Mr Adams, an outspoken author and political commentator, as the White House’s

nominee for ambassador to Malaysia

.

Mr Adams, a naturalised US citizen originally from Australia, has cultivated a brash social media persona, using macho, “alpha male” branding to weigh in on cultural issues and appeal to an audience of mainly young men.

But it is his posts harshly criticising Islam and showing support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that have angered Muslims in Malaysia, triggering a rare protest against a foreign diplomatic appointment in the South-east Asian country.

The outcry comes at a critical time for Malaysia, which has until Aug 1 to reach a trade deal with Washington to avoid

a steep 25 per cent tariff

imposed on its exports to the US.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters on July 18 that it was too early in the process to decide on Mr Adams’ appointment, but his government would give the matter due consideration.

“At the same time, we will seek to protect the good relations between Malaysia and the United States,” he said, according to a recording of his remarks provided by his office to Reuters.

Demonstrators led by youth leaders from Datuk Seri Anwar’s ruling coalition submitted a memorandum of protest to the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur asking Mr Trump to reconsider his nomination.

The memorandum cited “divisive rhetoric” used by Mr Adams and characterised his posts as insensitive towards Malaysia’s multicultural society.

Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities, has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.

“An ambassador’s task is to be the bridge between two countries, and we don’t want that person to be someone who destroys that bridge instead,” said Mr Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim, a member of Mr Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

The protesters also called on Malaysia’s government to exercise its right under international norms to reject Mr Adams’ proposed appointment.

Under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, host countries have discretion to accept or reject ambassadorial appointments without having to provide a reason.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said on July 15 that the Cabinet had yet to receive any formal notice of Mr Adams’ appointment to Malaysia.

While Mr Adams’ nomination has not yet been approved, he is widely expected to be confirmed by the Republican-held US Senate. REUTERS