History
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and Iraq have remained warm and cordial since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973. Iraq established its Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in the same year, while Malaysia subsequently opened its Embassy in Baghdad in 1975.
Following the outbreak of war in 2003, the Embassy of Malaysia in Baghdad was temporarily closed in March 2003 due to security considerations. After nearly two decades, the Embassy was officially reopened on 17 November 2023, marking a pivotal milestone and reflecting Malaysia’s renewed commitment to strengthening and deepening bilateral relations with Iraq.
At present, the Embassy is headed by a Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
Below is the list of former Ambassadors of Malaysia to the Republic of Iraq:
NO. | NAME OF OFFICER | POSITION | YEAR OF | REMARKS |
1 | MR. KHALID ABDUL KARIM | CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES A.I. | 06.09.1975 | CHANCERY AND EARLY |
2 | DATO' KAMARUDDIN MOHAMMAD ARIFF | AMBASSADOR | 03.11.1976 - | - |
3 | DATO' WAN ABDUL RAHIM BIN NGAH | AMBASSADOR | 1979 - 1982 |
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4 | TAN SRI ZAITON IBRAHIM AHMAD | AMBASSADOR (CONTRACT) | 1982 - 1986 |
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5 | - | AMBASSADOR | 1986 - 1990 | GULF WAR |
6 | - | AMBASSADOR | 1990 - 1995 | GULF WAR |
7 | DATO' SYED SULTAN SENI PAKIR | AMBASSADOR | 1995 - 1998 | POST-GULF WAR ERA |
8 | DATUK JOJIE SAMUEL A/L M C SAMUEL | FIRST SECRETARY / | 1998 - 1999 |
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9 | AMBASSADOR ABDUL LATIFF AWANG | AMBASSADOR | 1999 - MAR 2003 |
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10 | MR. MOHAMAD SHAHIR SABARUDIN | MINISTER COUNSELLOR / | JAN 2024 - DEC 2025 | RE-OPENING OF THE EMBASSY ON NOV 2023 |
11 | MR. NEERMAL SHUNMUGAM | COUNSELLOR / | DEC 2025 - PRESENT |
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