2009 Hari Merdeka Message from U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia

On behalf of the American people, I want to extend to all Malaysians my warmest wishes on the occasion of Malaysia’s 52nd Independence Day on August 31.

The United States and Malaysia enjoy excellent relations and we look forward to building on those strong ties in the coming year.

I congratulate all Malaysians as you celebrate the 52nd anniversary of your independence.

“Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan yang ke-lima puluh dua!”

Ramadhan Mubarak!

Ramadan in America (Please click on the above image to view the video)

I wish to send a message of friendship and respect to all our Muslim friends in Malaysia as they begin the sacred month of Ramadan.

As America’s Muslim community grows in numbers and prominence, Americans of every religious tradition are learning more about the origins and meaning of Islam. We wish to partner with people of all faiths to celebrate the rich diversity of our different cultures.

I hope all of you know we welcome Islam in America. Islam’s teachings of self-discipline, compassion and commitment to family enrich our country. America respects Muslims in the U.S. and around the world, from Malaysia and Indonesia to Pakistan, the Middle East and Africa.

I understand that the Holy Koran says God created nations and tribes so we may know one another. As the fasting month of Ramadan begins I wish all Muslims and peoples of other faith traditions in Malaysia a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Related Link – President Obama’s Ramadan Message (English Text / Bahasa Text / English Video)

A New Era of Engagement

It’s been a couple of weeks now since Secretary of State Clinton delivered her major foreign policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC.

For those of you who have not yet seen this speech, I encourage you to take a look at it because it details a new era of U.S. partnership and engagement in foreign policy. By the way, you can also watch the speech at this video link.

In short, these are the major messages in Secretary Clinton’s speech.

• In a new spirit of global cooperation, the U.S. seeks to engage partners around the world to work together on solving the world’s problems.
• The U.S. approach to foreign policy must reflect the world as it is, not as it used to be.
• The U.S. understands the importance of offering to engage Iran and giving its leaders a choice to join the international community as a responsible member or to continue down a path to further isolation.
• Through an architecture of cooperation, the U.S. will join with new global partners to solve the world’s problems. Through global partnerships, together, we will achieve wonderful progress around the world.

I find Secretary Clinton’s messages of global partnership and renewed engagement around the world particularly compelling. And I’m interested in your thoughts.

So, in this renewed spirit of partnership and cooperation, I invite you to leave a comment or two sharing your thoughts and perspective on Secretary Clinton’s speech.

“New Beginnings:” U.S. Relations with Malaysia and the Muslim World

Many of you must have seen or heard about President Barack Obama’s June 4 speech in Cairo outlining the United States’ commitment to seek a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim world based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

“…Islam has always been a part of America’s story,” said the President, and “since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.” The rich diversity of cultures and traditions found in both the United States and Malaysia is a key strength in our societies. The President was impressed by Malaysia’s global outlook and pursuit of economic development in order to create opportunities for its people, noting “the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.” My goal is to strengthen our bilateral relationship in areas where we share common ground and to identify new areas for partnership in order to deepen mutual understanding between our societies.

Like Malaysia, the U.S. wants a safe and stable country for its people and wishes for the same for the countries and regions of the world. The events of September 11 were not just an American tragedy but a global loss. Americans, Malaysians and many innocent people from other countries working in the twin towers of the World Trade Center lost their lives on 9/11. With firm resolve, the President said, “the first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all its forms… (and, since 9/11) the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.” In the aftermath of 9/11, Malaysia took effective action against al Qaeda’s Southeast Asian associates in the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group.

Malaysians have vocally expressed their concern for the Palestinian people. The President stated that “the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland,” described their situation as “intolerable”, and committed himself personally to pursue a two-state solution in which “Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.” The President also cautioned that “if we see this conflict only from one side, then we will be blind to the truth…” I see this as a challenge to all nations to focus on practical measures and diplomacy that address the legitimate peace and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians; ignoring one or the other will not lead to peace.

The President also assured the world that he wants to help build peace and prosperity throughout the world. For example, in Pakistan, the U.S. government plans “to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced.”

With Malaysia, I am especially proud of our joint efforts to build bridges between our future leaders–the young Malaysians and young Americans who will shape our world tomorrow. The U.S. is committed to furthering this understanding through people- to -people exchanges. In Terengganu, for example, the state government is hosting 23 young American Fulbright English teaching assistants who are sharing their language skills and rich cultural experiences with hundreds of Malaysian teachers and students.

In his June 4 speech in Cairo, President Obama said, “It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed.” Modern Malaysia, of course, is a wonderful example of scientific and technological development. The list of Malaysian and American achievements, we know, is ever-expanding.

I welcome your thoughts on the U.S.-Malaysia relations and on my personal reflections on President Obama’s vision for a new beginning in U.S.-Muslim world relations if you care to share them on my blog.

Ambassador James R. Keith

Why Should the Obama Presidency Matter to Malaysia?

In late April the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama marked its “100th day.” On that occasion, the media and pundits had their say, as pollsters measured our new president’s popularity and the impact of his administration. Most polls showed that a majority of Americans believe the United States is headed in the right direction under President Obama. Many believe Obama has improved the United States’ image abroad, and its relations with other countries. Some have cited in particular the President’s efforts to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, his decisiveness in dealing with Somali pirates, his decision to close Guantanamo Bay prison, and improved relations with Cuba.

President Obama has undertaken a foreign policy agenda that seeks to create a new era of international cooperation. At the recent G-20 meeting in London, as well as at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago, President Obama set a new tone for dialogue and diplomacy. He listened, engaged in constructive dialogue, demonstrated an appreciation for and understanding of cultural difference and nuance, and apologized for American arrogance, thereby laying the groundwork for a new diplomatic approach and renewed American engagement.

How much does the Obama presidency matter to Malaysia? The U.S. is Malaysia’s number one trading partner, and Malaysia is the United States’ 16th largest trading partner. Hundreds of U.S. companies are present in Malaysia, employing tens of thousands of people. The person-to-person connections between our two countries are substantial: nearly 40,000 Malaysians applied for visas to visit us last year. Over 7,000 Malaysian students are now in the United States, and we expect even more this year.

Hillary Clinton made it clear during her first foreign trip as Secretary of State that Asia will be a priority for the Obama Administration, and an indispensable partner in years to come. That commitment was reflected in her visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and her announcement that the United States would launch a formal process to pursue accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-east Asia – a reflection of the new administration’s desire for broader and deeper relations with Asia on regional and global issues.

Malaysia boasts one of South-East Asia’s most vibrant economies, the fruit of decades of industrial growth and political stability. It has built a solid foundation for future development in terms of its infrastructure and educated workforce. Situated along one of the world’s most critically important shipping lanes between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, Malaysia is also a key tourist destination in the region, offering the colorful traditions of its people, its scenery, and the stunning diversity of its flora and fauna. Malaysia counts itself among the membership of many regional and international institutions, and is known for its contribution to international peacekeeping operations around the world.

We are at an opportune moment for U.S.-Malaysia relations. With new administrations in both nations, we can build on the momentum of our respective political transitions to improve our ties across a broad range of critical issues. By pursuing increased senior-level exchanges and visits, we can explore ways to advance our relationship based on shared national interests. We can look for increased bilateral opportunities and enhance our cooperation in public health, energy and the environment. The United States seeks a more open global trading system, and our FTA talks with Malaysia have been an expression of this, but we can do more.

Looking more broadly, Malaysia’s active, committed support is essential for addressing a number of international issues of mutual concern, ranging from nuclear nonproliferation, to export controls, to refugees, migration and labor, to the protection of fundamental human rights. As an economically successful, majority-Muslim country, Malaysia can have a significant impact — and play a unique role — in advancing the resolution of the difficult issues of our day. We share the benefits of the international system, and we must also share the burdens of sustaining it.

For years, the United States and Malaysia have not realized the full potential of their relationship. Our policy in the Middle East looms large here, along with concerns on how the U.S. will help resolve a host of issues including hot spots in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the global economic crisis. President Obama and his team, most notably our Secretaries of Treasury and State, have been vocal in support of international solutions. We are listening actively to our friends and partners to find productive means of managing the problems that we face and investing in our shared future. We must choose the future over the past, because we know that the future holds enormous opportunities if we work together.