He reiterated that it would be up to the government to decide on the matter, Berita Harian reported.

The post of ambassador to the US fell vacant after the former envoy, Nazri Aziz, returned to Malaysia following the end of his two-year term on Feb 8.

“I will not be Malaysia’s ambassador to the US. However as the Miti minister, my ministry is prepared to support whoever is appointed to the post.

“We need someone on the ground,” Tengku Zafrul was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, the former banker said he was aware of suggestions he would succeed Nazri, but said the decision ultimately lay with the prime minister.

He added that he wanted to focus on his ministerial duties, especially with Malaysia chairing Asean this year.

Tengku Zafrul was among the five names suggested by former DAP MP Ong Kian Ming to replace Nazri.

The other four were PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, former CIMB group chairman Nazir Razak, ex-MP Yusmadi Yusoff, and Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia (Isis) chairman Faiz Abdullah.