The Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) expresses deep concern over the nomination of Mr. Nick Adams as the next United States Ambassador to Malaysia. Beyond the controversy surrounding his public persona, Mr. Adams has consistently propagated provocative and divisive rhetoric that vilifies international calls for justice, dismisses human rights advocacy, and equates legitimate expressions of solidarity with extremism.
Mr. Adams has also made public statements that are widely regarded as anti-Palestinian and openly supportive of acts of aggression that many in the international community have characterised as war crimes and genocide. Such views are not only morally indefensible but also risk normalising violence against civilians and undermining the shared global principles of justice, peace, and humanity.
His views are not only incompatible with Malaysia’s principled support for international justice, human rights, and the protection of sovereign nations, but also risk undermining the longstanding bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the United States. Such rhetoric, if allowed to shape diplomatic engagement, threatens to damage mutual trust and public goodwill, both of which are essential to international cooperation and national unity.
Malaysia’s foreign policy has always stood firmly in defence of human dignity, the rule of law, and multilateralism. Mr. Adams’s statements, including those that ridicule or distort the pursuit of these principles, are not in line with the values we uphold and are unsuitable for an official envoy to our country.
MBM therefore calls on the Government to reject this nomination. In accordance with Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Malaysia has the sovereign right to decline any ambassadorial appointment without obligation to provide justification. This is not a question of ideology, but a necessary step to uphold Malaysia’s moral and diplomatic integrity, and to ensure that our relationship with the United States is not jeopardised by an appointment that lacks the requisite diplomatic sensitivity and respect for our national values.
We also urge youth organisations, student bodies, and civil society to remain vigilant, informed, and united in defending the principles of peace, justice, and sovereignty. At a time when young people across the world are standing up for fairness and accountability, Malaysia must remain consistent in its foreign policy and moral commitments.
The youth of Malaysia will continue to stand for peace, dignity, and justice, values that must guide not only our actions at home, but also our engagement with the world.
MOHD IZZAT AFIFI HJ ABDUL HAMID
President
Malaysian Youth Council
Date : 15th July 2025
