US approves nearly RM1b in security assistance for Malaysia

 

The United States has approved approximately US$230 million, which is nearly RM1 billion, in security assistance for Malaysia since 2018 among others in military-related training and exchange programmes.

Commanding General US Army Pacific (USARPAC) General Charles A Flynn said the assistance also includes the provision of equipment as well as education.

“The US is proud to partner with the Malaysian Armed Forces in key developmental areas and looks forward to this year’s Malaysia-US talk which promises further development of the bilateral relationship,” he said.

He said this in his speech before officiating the US Partnership Pavilion at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition and National Security Conference Asia (Natsec) 2022, here, today.

Also present was the US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D Mcfeeters.

Flynn said the partnership between the US and Malaysia was founded on the principles of security and prosperity as well as relying on multilateral relationships and burden sharing throughout Southeast Asia.

“The Malaysian Army demonstrates its principles in its commitment in joining bilateral exercises such as the Keris Strike and Bersama Warriors even in the face of the challenges by Covid-19,” he said.

Apart from that, he said later this year, two Malaysian soldiers will be trained in the Lightning Academy jungle operation in Hawaii as part of exchange training programmes.

Meanwhile, commenting on the DSA and Natsec 2022, Mcfeeters expressed his gratitude to Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin for organising the event.

“Malaysia is very important to the United States, as the third-largest economy in Asean and the second-largest US trading partner in Southeast Asia,” he said.

A total of 12 US companies will be displaying their products at the US pavilion in the event starting from today until this Thursday.

The US Partnership Pavilion is among 20 pavilions represented by 20 different countries participating in the international defence event.

- Bernama