US ambassador impressed by Malaysia's efforts in combating COVID-19

He said these include the efforts in preventing the spread of the virus and treating the COVID-19 patients, as well as the 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's 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 (PKRC) 2.0 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here, today.

The donation, consisting of COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) totalling US$75,000 (RM309,000), were provided by the US Department of Defence, United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid (OHDACA) office.

"I hope this donation of PPE and quick test kit benefits the 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 said, in fluent Malay.

He said US companies in Malaysia have also been active, with over RM7 million contributed to COVID-19 relief efforts over the last 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, making it the largest contributor to the COVAX 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) members of parliament 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 very 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 produced close to 100,000 jobs for Malaysians.

"So one of my priorities as ambassador is (to) try to build on both trade and investment," he added.