KOTA KINABALU: The reopening of the Malaysian international borders on April 1 is expected to renew business and social exchange opportunities between the country and the United States.

       US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters said that the US government is also looking to renew its partnerships with Sabah after a lull of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on its economic and tourism sectors.

       He also said the education-related programmes such as English Teaching Assistant (ETA) programme would also be re-looked.

       “ETA is something the embassy has been very proud of, but yet, it has been put on hold due to the Covid-19 and the Federal Government policies,” he said.

       McFeeters said the ETA programme is good for Malaysia, as students learn about shared values with the United States and Americans because they get to come here and learn about cultures.

       “So we hope to renew this partnership,” he added.

       For now, McFeeters said, they have identified a person who will be sent to Sabah to teach English but the details have not been finalised.

       He said they are also considering renewing their commitment to reintroducing other programmes such as the Youth Exchange Study programme, Young SEA leadership programme, and the Fullbright scholarship programmes they used to have.

       With the borders reopening, he said Malaysian workers could also be sent to the United States to undergo job training, which could not be done during the pandemic.

       McFeeters was among 12 delegates from the embassy on a three-day visit to Sabah from March 9.

       During the visit, he also met government officials, environment and climate change experts, representatives from various NGOs, and Sabahan alumni of US government exchange programmes.

       They discussed US-Sabah cooperation on the environment, human rights, public health, and people-to-people exchanges.

       In his meetings, McFeeters reiterated the US government’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, combating wildlife trafficking in Malaysia, and working with partners to protect the rich marine resources and forests of Sabah.

       “The US values Sabah as a key partner in strengthening the overall US-Malaysia relationship and looks forward to many more visits to Sabah and collaborations on environmental issues, combating wildlife trafficking, human rights, public health, and youth empowerment,” he said.

       In his meeting with media practitioners in the state, McFeeters said the Americans hope other countries will join it to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

       He said with what was going on in the world right now, it was important it reiterates the country’s stand on the matter.

       He added that every country, including Ukraine, should have a right to choose its form of government – in this case, a democratic form of government.

       “So, I want to make clear that the US government completely stands in solidarity with Ukraine and will continue to put pressure, with sanctions everywhere, against Russia.

       “We’re hoping that other countries will join us in that effort,” he said.

       McFeeters said the US is pleased that Malaysia together with about 150 other counries joined the United Nations General Assembly to vote in condemning Russia.