SERDANG – The US ambassador-designate to Malaysia Brian McFeeters said he is impressed by Malaysia’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said these include efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and treating Covid-19 patients, as well as the recent roll-out of the national vaccination programme.
“The whole world is challenged by this crisis, every country is doing its best. I think Malaysia, from what I understand, I’m not an expert, but Malaysia is doing a wonderful job,” he said.
McFeeters was speaking to reporters after witnessing the handing over of US contribution to the Covid-19 Integrated Quarantine and Treatment Centre 2.0 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.
The donation, comprising Covid-19 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) totalling US$75,000 (RM309,000), were provided by the US Department of Defence, US Indo-Pacific Command Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid office.
“I hope this donation of PPE and quick-test kits benefits frontliners. I hope this donation is a recognition of our long-standing close relationship and joint effort to provide humanitarian assistance during the crisis,” Mc Feeters, who is also fluent Malay, said.
He said US companies in Malaysia have also been active, with more than RM7 million contributed to Covid-19 relief efforts over the past year.
McFeeters said the US is committed towards global Covid-19 relief efforts, and the country has pledged US$4 billion through 2022, with half already given to Covax facility, making it the largest contributor to the vaccine effort.
On US-Malaysia relationship, he said apart from the Covid-19 pandemic, the embassy is focused on building stronger ties between the two countries in any way possible.
“The three main areas are the economic relationship, security relationship and people-to-people ties, such as exchange programmes, education and learning about each other systems that include maybe having (Malaysia’s) MPs visit the US Congress and things like that.
“So, we are working on these areas even now and especially after Covid-19,” he said.
In terms of economic ties, McFeeters said both countries have impressive and continuous relationships, with about US$60 billion in trade every year.
He said the US has also invested about US$10 billion in Malaysia, which produces close to 100,000 jobs for Malaysians.
“So, one of my priorities as ambassador is (to) try to build on both trade and investment.” – Bernama, March 10, 2021
