Nazri's envoy post: Appointment was made a year ago, PM says

 The appointment of Nazri Aziz as the ambassador to the US was made nearly a year ago, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today.

However, the former minister's position was only recently announced as the US authorities took about six months to approve the appointment.

"The thing is, he (Nazri) was already appointed (to the post) nearly a year ago, and it took the US six months to approve it.

“That’s why people should know the facts before attacking,” the prime minister told reporters after attending the Housewives Social Security Schemes and MyFutureJobs Career fair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

Anwar was responding to the backlash against Nazri's appointment since it was announced earlier this week.

According to Anwar, he had also personally requested the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to delay the announcement of Nazri’s appointment, which was supposed to have been done last year, as he needed time to form the cabinet first before unveiling other appointments.

‘What’s wrong with appointment?’

Anwar believed that the reactions surrounding Nazri’s appointment were too harsh.

“What is wrong with him (Nazri) being an ambassador?

“Yes, people should be able to rebuke but the attack on him was too harsh when we (the government) are the ones responsible for appointing him,” he said.

On Feb 9, the Foreign Ministry revealed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong presented 10 ambassadors, including Nazri, with letters of credence during a ceremony at Istana Negara.

The appointment received mixed reactions from the public and politicians, including Pakatan Harapan MPs.

‘Just wait for report’

Anwar also commented on former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s denial of involvement in the award of a lucrative contract allegedly linked to his son-in-law Adlan Berhan.

In issuing the denial, the Pagoh MP said the attempt by Anwar’s administration to probe him on the matter was an attempt to tarnish his and his family’s dignity.

“Evil or not, just wait for the report to come out. I don’t think this would be a big issue if the allegations are not true.

“Our goal is to stop this because no minister should make their children or children-in-law rich,” Anwar added.

It was recently reported that the MACC was investigating the award on the grounds of possible abuse of power in the National Integrated Immigration System.

Muhyiddin accused Anwar of implicating him in the scandal to cover up the furore surrounding the pro bono appointment of Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, as the senior economic and finance adviser to the prime minister. - Mkini