KUALA LUMPUR – US President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Joshua Harris as the next American ambassador to Malaysia, replacing Edgard Kagan, who ended his tenure earlier this year.
The nomination, which was announced by the White House, still requires confirmation by the US Senate before Harris can officially assume the post, Berita Harian reported.
According to the White House statement, Harris is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently holds the rank of Minister-Counselor.
He was described as a respected public servant with extensive diplomatic experience and a strong record of representing the United States overseas.
The statement added that Harris brings decades of leadership and diplomatic expertise to the ambassadorial role.
Harris currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, where he oversees US diplomacy involving Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.
Prior to his current role, he was nominated as US ambassador to Algeria in 2024, according to the US Department of State.
His diplomatic career has also included serving as Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Iraq, Deputy Chief of Mission in Tripoli, Libya, as well as assignments in Ljubljana, Baghdad and Zagreb.
A graduate of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, Harris is also a polyglot who speaks Arabic, Croatian, French, Italian, Polish and Slovenian.
The ambassadorial position in Kuala Lumpur has remained vacant since Kagan completed his posting in February, with career diplomat David Gamble currently serving as Chargé d’Affaires.
Before departing Malaysia, Kagan said both countries had succeeded in building ties that were “stronger, more resilient and more effective than ever before”.
Harris’ nomination marks a shift from Trump’s previous choice, Nick Adams, an Australian-American conservative commentator whose candidacy drew criticism in Malaysia over his remarks concerning Islam and his strong support for Israel.
Adams’ nomination was eventually withdrawn, paving the way for Harris, whose background is rooted in professional diplomacy.
If confirmed by the Senate, Harris will become Washington’s official representative in Kuala Lumpur and is expected to focus on strengthening Malaysia-US relations in areas including trade, investment, regional security and ASEAN cooperation.
His appointment would continue efforts to deepen bilateral ties under Kagan’s tenure. – July 22, 2026