He chided those who were trying to create an issue out of the appointment, saying the decision was made early last year.

“What’s the problem? The appointment was done almost a year ago. It just took the US administration six months to approve it.

“When I took charge as prime minister, I advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to hold (Nazri’s appointment) until I set up my Cabinet. This is because they (Cabinet) have to be informed on the appointments as well,” he told reporters at an event here.

He also said Putrajaya would have looked into the appointment had there been strong reasons to oppose it. “Since there was none, the government decided to proceed with it,” he said.

On Thursday, it was announced that the former Padang Rengas MP had been appointed Malaysia’s ambassador to the US.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said the King had presented Nazri and nine other new heads of diplomatic missions with their credentials for the postings during a ceremony at Istana Negara.

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 previous Cabinets, having held the tourism, law, and entrepreneur development portfolios under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.