US envoy unable to present credentials due to Agongs illness
New American envoy Marie T Huhtala has to wait until the Yang di-Pertuan Agong returns home after undergoing a medical check-up in Singapore before she can officially assume her duty as the US ambassador to Malaysia.
According to the Agong's private secretary, Raja Hydar Raja Iskandar, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah has been in the island republic since Sept 19.
"I do not know when His Majesty will be back in the country," he told malaysiakini today, but indicated that the Agong would return soon.
Raja Hydar added he was unable to elaborate on the Agong's conditions when asked for more details.
The 75-year-old Agong has had some medical problems in the past and went for treatment overseas. He is the 11th Agong of Malaysia and is also the sultan of the state of Selangor.
Standard routine
When contacted, the US embassy said that Robert C Reis Jr would be in charge of the embassy until the new envoy presents her credentials to the Agong.
"As far as the Malaysian government is concerned, Reis is still the charge d' affaires (in charge of affairs)," the embassy's information officer, Frank Whitaker, told malaysiakini today.
Asked about the implication on the delay of Huhtala's appointment, Whitaker explained that it is a standard routine for ambassadors to present their credentials to the head of states before they can officially perform their duties.
"It sometimes takes up to a month (to have their credentials presented)," he said.
New American envoy Marie T Huhtala has to wait until the Yang di-Pertuan Agong returns home after undergoing a medical check-up in Singapore before she can officially assume her duty as the US ambassador to Malaysia.
According to the Agong's private secretary, Raja Hydar Raja Iskandar, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah has been in the island republic since Sept 19.
"I do not know when His Majesty will be back in the country," he told malaysiakini today, but indicated that the Agong would return soon.
Raja Hydar added he was unable to elaborate on the Agong's conditions when asked for more details.
The 75-year-old Agong has had some medical problems in the past and went for treatment overseas. He is the 11th Agong of Malaysia and is also the sultan of the state of Selangor.
Standard routine
When contacted, the US embassy said that Robert C Reis Jr would be in charge of the embassy until the new envoy presents her credentials to the Agong.
"As far as the Malaysian government is concerned, Reis is still the charge d' affaires (in charge of affairs)," the embassy's information officer, Frank Whitaker, told malaysiakini today.
Asked about the implication on the delay of Huhtala's appointment, Whitaker explained that it is a standard routine for ambassadors to present their credentials to the head of states before they can officially perform their duties.
"It sometimes takes up to a month (to have their credentials presented)," he said.
Huhtala arrived in Malaysia yesterday at a time when the US is preparing to attack Afghanistan for harbouring alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, who was blamed for the Sept 11 attacks on World Trade Center and the Pentagon which claimed over 6,000 lives.
Following the attacks, the US is seeking to build a global coalition against international terrorism, which Malaysia has pledged to join.
Deputy supreme head
Article 33 of the Federal Constitution allows the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (who is also the deputy supreme head of the federation) to exercise the functions of the Agong during a vacancy in his office.
This also applies during any period in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is unable to exercise the function of his office due to an illness, absence from the federation or for any other causes.
The Timbalan Agong however shall not exercise these functions during any inability or absence of the Agong which is expected to be less than 15 days, unless the Timbalan Agong is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so.
