US embassy meetings part of normal diplomacy, says Nazri

Nazri said such high-level meetings between Malaysian officials and US diplomats are standard practice in international relations and should not be construed as interference in the country's internal matters.

"These discussions are a norm in diplomatic practice," said Nazri, drawing on his experience as former ambassador to Washington. "Countries regularly engage in dialogue with diplomatic missions to discuss matters of mutual interest."

His comments come after Abdul Hadi Awang raised concerns about meetings allegedly held at the US embassy, suggesting they could represent foreign meddling in Malaysia's political affairs. The PAS president had questioned the propriety of such engagements.

Nazri's clarification seeks to distinguish between routine diplomatic protocol and actual interference, emphasizing that government officials meeting with foreign embassy officials is an accepted and necessary part of conducting international relations.

The remarks highlight differing perspectives on Malaysia's engagement with US officials, with Nazri framing such interactions as essential to maintaining bilateral relations and professional diplomatic channels.