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US willing to provide aid to combat terrorism, says envoy

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Ambassador Edgard D Kagan says the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station is a reminder that the two countries cannot afford to relax their vigilance.

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Edgard D Kagan
US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D Kagan said the Ulu Tiram incident will not deter interest from investors or cause significant changes for Malaysians travelling to the US. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI:
The US is willing to provide assistance to Malaysia in combating terrorism following the attack on the police station in Ulu Tiram, Johor, says its ambassador, Edgard D Kagan.

Kagan, who expressed his condolences to the families of the two policemen killed in the incident, said the tragedy is a reminder that the US and Malaysia share common interests in combating terrorism and cannot afford to relax their vigilance.

“This incident is something that can potentially happen in many places around the world. We (the US) remain vigilant and cautious about the people entering our country, and we will continue to do so,” he told Bernama during a visit to the Iskandar Regional Development Authority headquarters here.

However, he said, such an incident does not deter interest from investors or cause any significant changes for Malaysians travelling to the US.

In the May 17 incident, two policemen – constables Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24 – were killed by a “lone wolf” assailant who was shot dead. Another policeman was injured.

Kagan said the US is looking to build on the strong and long-standing security, economic and educational ties with Malaysia.

He said his country could, for instance, work with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to strengthen maritime security, and maintain regional peace and stability.

He also said the US and Malaysia have a strong people-to-people relationship as evidenced by more than 5,000 Malaysian students enrolling in US universities.

About 700 Malaysians have studied in US high schools, and more than 1,000 have studied under the US Fulbright programme which aims to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy and intercultural competence between Americans and other countries.

“We’re also eager to support more educational exchanges and I would like to see, in addition to Malaysians continuing their studies in the US, more Americans coming here.

“There’s a real potential to try and encourage young Americans and American university students to consider studying in Malaysia,” he said.

On the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Kagan said the US acknowledged how strongly the people of Malaysia feel about what is happening there.

He said Washington shares similar concerns and perspectives, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire to ensure peace and to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

On the boycott against brands supporting Israel, he said the US recognised the right to peaceful protest as part of democracy, but felt that more effective action could have been taken to defend the fate of the Palestinians.

During his visit, Kagan also paid a courtesy call on the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, at the Bukit Serene Palace in Johor Bahru.

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