In a statement, the foreign ministry said the King had presented Nazri and nine other new heads of diplomatic missions their letters of credence during a ceremony at Istana Negara today.

There had been rumours that the Umno man and former minister would be appointed Malaysia’s ambassador to the US since February last year.

In June 2022, Nazri brushed off the rumours, telling FMT that it was just speculation and to “just wait”.

He was previously linked to the post of ambassador to Switzerland, though this was reportedly turned down by the Swiss government.

The foreign ministry said Nazri had vast experience in the Cabinet, having held the tourism, law and entrepreneur development portfolios as a minister.

He had also served as a deputy finance minister and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department prior to that.

Wisma Putra also said Syed Hasrin Tengku Hussin had been appointed ambassador to Indonesia.

Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony and Hafizah Abdullah are the new envoys to the Philippines and Sweden respectively.

Meanwhile, Hendy Assan is the ambassador to the Holy See, Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet the envoy to Brazil, and Ruzaimi Mohamad the high commissioner to Kenya.

Suzilah Sidek was appointed ambassador to the Czech Republic, while Amarjit Sarjit Singh was made ambassador to Timor-Leste and ‘Alauddin Nor will serve as the envoy to Kuwait.

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