INVESTMENT, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has denied recent rumours that he will be appointed as Malaysia's next ambassador to the United States.
During a press conference at the China Conference Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur today, Tengku Zafrul clarified that while the appointment is still pending, his ministry is prepared to support whoever takes on the role.
“The answer is no,” Tengku Zafrul said when asked about the rumours. “But we leave it to whoever it is. Our ministry is ready to support them. We need someone on the ground.”
The announcement comes following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks last Friday that a candidate for the ambassadorship has already been identified, with formal consent expected after the Prime Minister’s visit to Bahrain this week.
This follows the completion of Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s two-year tenure as Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, which ended on February 8.
Separately, Tengku Zafrul emphasised the critical role the United States plays in Malaysia's trade relations, saying, “The US continues to be Malaysia’s top export destination, followed by China. The largest investments over the past nine months have come from US companies.”
Tengku Zafrul also expressed Malaysia’s commitment to further engaging with US investors and addressing concerns related to investing in the country.
He revealed plans for a trip to the US in the second quarter of this year, where he intends to meet with current investors and attract new ones.
“Engagement with existing companies is key, as well as attracting companies that may wish to invest in Malaysia,” Tengku Zafrul explained.
Last year, Malaysia’s trade with the US amounted to a substantial US$80.2 billion, underscoring the importance of the bilateral economic relationship. - February 17, 2025
