US Envoy Lauds Strengthening of Malaysia-US Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United States (US) have grown from strength to strength, including in fields like trade and education as well as people mobility, said the American envoy to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun (pix, left). He said since President Barack Obama's historic visit to Kuala Lumpur last year, Kuala Lumpur-Washington DC ties continued to grow in a progressive manner. The ambassador said this in his remarks at a reception to mark the 239th anniversary of American independence here today where International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamad (pix, right) was the guest-of-honour. It was brought forward because July 4, the date of the celebration proper, falls in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Yun noted that the US received 35,000 Malaysian visitors last year and approved 95 per cent of visa applications from Malaysians, showing that it was not a difficult process as claimed by some people. He also said that currently there were 10,000 Malaysian students in the US and about 100 English teachers from his country were in Malaysia for the English Teaching Assistants (ETA) programme. Earlier, Yun presented scholarships to three young Malaysian military cadets who will pursue their degree programmes at military institutions in the US. The recipients were Abdul Halim Abdul Rahim, 19, who will be going to the US Military Academy, West Point; Mohamad Fitri Mohd Idris, 19 (US Naval Academy, Annapolis), and Saranjoe Sukcha (US Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut). Yun said this would bring to eight the number of Malaysian military cadets pursuing degree programmes at American military institutions under US government scholarships since 2013. "The scholarships for young Malaysian military cadets are important in forming a positive military relationship between Malaysia and the US," he said.(photoBernama) --BERNAMA