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Bloomberg

Malaysia has tapped a career diplomat as its new ambassador to the US, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks tariff relief from Washington.
Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, who retired as secretary general of Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in 2022, would be the new envoy, although his appointment was yet to be ratified by Washington, the people said, asking not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
The 64-year-old is currently an independent non-executive director at state-controlled conglomerate Sime Darby.
The foreign affairs ministry, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Sime Darby could not immediately comment on Friday.
The position has been vacant for more than three months even as Malaysia negotiates with the US to bring levies on the Southeast Asian nation down from the 24 per cent that President Donald Trump has pledged to impose.
The previous ambassador, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, ended his two-year stint in Washington in February.

The outcome of the tariff talks will be crucial for trade-reliant Malaysia, which counts the US as its largest export market and China as its biggest trading partner, making it vulnerable to the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Shahrul served 34 years in diplomatic service, including two stints in the US.
According to his professional biography on Sime Darby’s website, he was first secretary to the embassy in Washington in the 1990s, and was the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York from 2017 to 2018. He also had stints as Malaysia’s ambassador to Qatar and Austria.


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Malaysia taps seasoned diplomat to navigate US tariff tensions

Shahrul Ikram Yaakob at his retirement ceremony in 2022. Photo: Facebook/Wisma Putra

Malaysia’s previous ambassador to the US, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, ended his two-year stint in February. Photo: Facebook/Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz

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Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah attends the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China’s Premier Li Qiang attends the Asean-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. The three partners agreed to deepen trade ties across various sectors. Photo: EPA-EFE

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The Asean logo is pictured in front of Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

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 A ship coming into berth at the container terminal at sunset in port Klang near Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s exports to the US bear the blanket 10 per cent levy. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz during a press conference regarding US tariffs in Kuala Lumpur on April 7. Photo: AFP

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has drawn the line at making compromises on bumiputra policy, protection of strategic sectors, and vendor development. Photo: Pool via Reuters

A seller hands over food to his customer with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 13. Malaysia can look to implement measures to offset the potential turmoil of Trump’s tariffs. Photo: EPA-EFE

Asean summit: Malaysia urges US to hold talks with bloc amid ‘deep concern’ about tariffs

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech for the opening of the plenary session at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Asean leaders pose for a picture on Monday before the start of the plenary session of the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at a signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Monday. Photo: AP

Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle Trump’s tariffs, Myanmar crisis

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during his visit to Moscow on May 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

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News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s former Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary general, will be the new envoy, sources say


Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s former Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary general, will be the new envoy, sources say.


Donald Trump

Trade

Diplomacy

United States

Malaysia taps seasoned diplomat to navigate US tariff tensions

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s former Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary general, will be the new envoy, sources say

Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s former Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary general, will be the new envoy, sources say