KOTA KINABALU: Sabah welcomes United States’ pledge on the USD1 million (RM4,238,800) for the state wildlife conservation efforts to complement the state’s ongoing programme in wildlife protection.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed appreciation to the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. Mcfeeters, during a virtual call yesterday.

Mcfeeters also offered mutual cooperation in forest conservation, pointing to the Heart of Borneo (HoB) programme, a transboundary conservation initiative extending into Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

“We are thankful for all assistance rendered by the United States of America to Malaysia and Sabah in the field of education, nature conservation and, most recently, in the COVID19 pandemic fight.”

In another bilateral cooperation recently, the United States has also donated 1 million doses of
vaccines to Malaysia and has pledged additional COVID-19 type assistance to the Malaysian Red Crescent.

“The aid will further speed up our efforts in the fight against the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

Sabah State Government and the United States Government have always maintained good and cordial bilateral relations. On a country-to-country level, Malaysia and the United States have established bilateral ties since 1957.

The US remains one of Malaysia’s largest trading partners and Malaysia is one of USA’s long-time
and closest allies in military, investment, economic and education cooperation.

Hajiji and Mcfeeters spoke on a wide range of issues including Malaysia Agreement 1963, human trafficking, illegal immigrants, and the US Embassy’s longstanding cooperation with University
Malaysia Sabah on counter terrorism and violent extremism.

Mcfeeters, who took office as US Ambassador to Malaysia in February this year, said he looks forward to visit Sabah, a destination well known to many Americans for its natural attractions and the iconic Mount Kinabalu.