From M. Saraswathi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 15\u00a0(NNN-Bernama) —\u00a0As\u00a0the United States (US)-Malaysia\u00a0Comprehensive Partnership will conclude\u00a0its 10th year\u00a0in 2024, both countries are set to formulate a practical plan by end of this year to further strengthen it, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe next year will be 10 years since Malaysia and the US elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in April 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will formulate a practical plan by the end of this year on how we could further strengthen this partnership for the benefit of Malaysians, Americans, and the wider region,\u201d he said during a special lecture titled \u201dSuper Power Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific\u201d at the University of California, Berkeley, near here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said although Malaysia\u2019s relations with the US do not capture the same kind of attention as those involving China, Japan, or the Philippines, it is regardless a crucial one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is neither an alliance nor particularly contentious, it often seems as if the relationship is destined to hide in plain sight. But thinking so would be a disservice to the long years of collaboration and mutual respect that our two nations have built,\u201d he told the audience of over 250 students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia regards its strategic relations with the US as crucial to its economic vibrancy and national security interests. This position stems from an objective, rational and perhaps utilitarian assessment of how best to serve Malaysia\u2019s needs on the world stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facts speak for themselves \u2013 the US ranks among our largest foreign investors, with over US$100 billion pledged just this year across manufacturing, services, and digital sectors. And that is likely an undercount, as many US firms channel investments through subsidiaries across Asia and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe US stands as Malaysia\u2019s third largest trading partner, while we are America’s 17th largest export market,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence and security cooperation represents a vital anchor for the broader relationship, Anwar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalaysia conducts more bilateral and multilateral military exercises with the US than with any of our other partners: 11 bilateral and five multilateral exercises annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese help to build critical capacity and readiness for our forces. Between 2018 and 2022, US security assistance exceeded US$220 million, providing equipment, training, and other vital support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the two nations engage in cooperative efforts to enhance maritime security and combat transnational menaces such as cybercrime, terrorism, violent extremism, and drug trafficking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said these concerns surpass national boundaries, and their resolution necessitates collaborative effort that capitalises on collective capacities, the prime minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond security ties, he noted that Malaysia has become a robust partner to the US across spheres like education, climate change, public health, and empowering marginalised communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thousands of Malaysian students enroll in American universities each year, seeking a world-class education before returning home to contribute to national development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia keen to leverage on IPEF<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anwar said Malaysia also participates actively in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), showcasing its commitment to regional economic integration and collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a nation strategically positioned in Southeast Asia, Malaysia views the IPEF as a vital platform to enhance trade, strengthen supply chains, promote sustainable practices, and support anti-corruption measures alongside other participating countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the Malaysian government is keen on leveraging the IPEF to not only advance its own economic interests but also to contribute significantly to the development of the framework’s key pillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia, on the other hand, offers an unmatched capacity to be a reliable partner on critical technologies, he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For over 50 years, Malaysia has been home to leading technology multinationals, particularly in electronics and semiconductors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalaysia plays a pivotal role in the global tech industry, supplying 25 per cent of the semiconductor components that power the US\u2019s technology demands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford’s production of their iconic F-150 pick-up truck hinged crucially on Malaysia’s decision to reopen its industrial operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Half of all composite wing parts for Boeing and Airbus planes are made in Malaysia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are also a vital link in medical technology supply chains, with nearly 300 companies employing 70,000 skilled workers,\u201d Anwar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further, giants like Intel, Infineon, and Amazon Web Services are investing billions more to expand cutting-edge production capacity in Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approved foreign investments in the first quarter of this year rose 67 per cent year-on-year, reaching over RM17 billion (US$1=RM4.66). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalaysia is seizing opportunities and delivering results \u2013 and in doing so, we have become an important link in the global supply chain for critical technologies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—\u00a0NNN-BERNAMA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From M. Saraswathi SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 15\u00a0(NNN-Bernama) —\u00a0As\u00a0the United States (US)-Malaysia\u00a0Comprehensive Partnership will conclude\u00a0its 10th year\u00a0in 2024, both countries are set to formulate a practical plan by end of this year to further strengthen it, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday. \u201cThe next year will be 10 years since Malaysia and the US elevated their bilateral relationship […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":240198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[215,288,300,286,318],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244681"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=244681"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244695,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244681\/revisions\/244695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/240198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=244681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=244681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/namnewsnetwork.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=244681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}