KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (NNN-Bernama) — The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had hosted a virtual send-off ceremony for two Malaysian cadets who have been accepted to continue their studies at two prestigious US service academies.
The ceremony, held Wednesday, were attended by US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters and Malaysian Armed Forces’ Defence Operation and Training Assistant Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Hashim Aman Shah.
Both students – Nicholas Ong Yong Xen and Mohamed Khairel Adha Mohd Khairee – were chosen after a rigorous selection process that evaluated their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements, the embassy said in a statement.
Ong has been appointed to the US Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. Ong attended SMK Puchong Utama (1) before joining the Royal Military College (RMC) in 2019. At USNA, he will study cyber operations, and he is committed to becoming a navy officer with the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Mohamed Khairel Adha will attend the US Air Force Academy (USAFA)in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A Taiping native, Mohamed Khairel attended SMK King Edward VII prior to joining the National Defence University (UPNM) for his foundation studies. Khairel will study Aeronautical Engineering at USAFA and hopes to become a Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter pilot upon completion of his studies.
In his remarks, Ambassador McFeeters congratulated the cadets and expressed his appreciation to the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Military College, and the National Defence University for their unwavering support in ensuring the continued academic collaboration between the United States and Malaysia, strengthening the people-to-people ties, and forging close partnerships between the two countries.
“The Malaysians who study at the US service academies serve as ambassadors of Malaysia to the United States and make lifelong connections with US service members and citizens.
“These bonds continue to strengthen our relationships. Cadets Nicholas and Khairel are joining the ranks of these impressive Malaysians today,” he added.
The statement also added Chief of Office of Defence Cooperation at the embassy, Lieutenant Colonel Lemar Farhad, as saying:
“The US Service Academy Programme with Malaysia serves as one of our most significant initiatives in our military engagement with the Malaysian Armed Forces. Graduates of these programmes consistently move on to hold prominent positions within the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“We look forward to further deepening our ties in human capital development through increased training and education programmes in years to come”.
Lt. Gen. Hashim said: “The Malaysian Armed Forces view the United States of America as a credible partner in defence cooperation, particularly in enhancing human capital development through professional military education and the US service academy programme. The US-Malaysia comprehensive partnership will continue to be a mutually beneficial collaboration to further enhance the defence bilateral relationship between the two countries.”
To date, a total of 34 Malaysians have graduated from four US service academies, and the first cadet attended the US Naval Academy Class of 1971. Thirteen completed their programme at USNA, four from the USAFA, twelve from West Point, and five graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy.
–NNN-BERNAMA