SAN FRANCISCO: As the United States (US)-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership enters its 10th year in 2024, both countries are set to formulate a practical plan by end of this year to further strengthen it, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
"The next year will be 10 years since Malaysia and the US elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in April 2014.
"We will formulate a practical plan by the end of this year on how we could further strengthen this partnership for the benefit of Malaysians, Americans, and the wider region," he said during a special lecture titled "Super Power Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific" at the University of California, Berkeley, near here.
He said although Malaysia's relations with the US do not capture the same kind of attention as those involving China, Japan, or the Philippines, it is regardless a crucial one.
"It is neither an alliance nor particularly contentious, it often seems as if the relationship is destined to hide in plain sight. But thinking so would be a disservice to the long years of collaboration and mutual respect that our two nations have built," he told the audience of over 250 students.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia regards its strategic relations with the US as crucial to its economic vibrancy and national security interests. This position stems from an objective, rational and perhaps utilitarian assessment of how best to serve Malaysia's needs on the world stage.
"The facts speak for themselves - the US ranks among our largest foreign investors, with over US$100 billion (US$1=RM4.72) pledged just this year across manufacturing, services, and digital sectors. And that is likely an undercount, as many US firms channel investments through subsidiaries across Asia and Europe.
"The US stands as Malaysia's third largest trading partner, while we are America's 17th largest export market," he said.
Defence and security cooperation represents a vital anchor for the broader relationship, Anwar said.
"Malaysia conducts more bilateral and multilateral military exercises with the US than with any of our other partners: 11 bilateral and five multilateral exercises annually.
"These help to build critical capacity and readiness for our forces. Between 2018 and 2022, US security assistance exceeded US$220 million, providing equipment, training, and other vital support," he said.
In addition, the two nations engage in cooperative efforts to enhance maritime security and combat transnational menaces such as cybercrime, terrorism, violent extremism, and drug trafficking.
He said these concerns surpass national boundaries, and their resolution necessitates collaborative effort that capitalises on collective capacities, the prime minister said.
Beyond security ties, he noted that Malaysia has become a robust partner to the US across spheres like education, climate change, public health, and empowering marginalised communities.
Thousands of Malaysian students enrol in American universities each year, seeking a world-class education before returning home to contribute to national development.
Malaysia keen to leverage on IPEF
Anwar said Malaysia also participates actively in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), showcasing its commitment to regional economic integration and collaboration.
"As a nation strategically positioned in Southeast Asia, Malaysia views the IPEF as a vital platform to enhance trade, strengthen supply chains, promote sustainable practices, and support anti-corruption measures alongside other participating countries," he said.
He added that the Malaysian government is keen on leveraging the IPEF to not only advance its own economic interests but also to contribute significantly to the development of the framework's key pillars.
Malaysia, on the other hand, offers an unmatched capacity to be a reliable partner on critical technologies, he said.
For over 50 years, Malaysia has been home to leading technology multinationals, particularly in electronics and semiconductors.
"Malaysia plays a pivotal role in the global tech industry, supplying 25 per cent of the semiconductor components that power the US's technology demands," he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford's production of their iconic F-150 pick-up truck hinged crucially on Malaysia's decision to reopen its industrial operations.
Half of all composite wing parts for Boeing and Airbus planes are made in Malaysia.
"We are also a vital link in medical technology supply chains, with nearly 300 companies employing 70,000 skilled workers," Anwar said.
Further, giants like Intel, Infineon, and Amazon Web Services are investing billions more to expand cutting-edge production capacity in Malaysia.
Approved foreign investments in the first quarter of this year rose 67 per cent year-on-year, reaching over RM17 billion.
"Malaysia is seizing opportunities and delivering results - and in doing so, we have become an important link in the global supply chain for critical technologies," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Nov 15 2023
PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his a special lecture entitled: Super Power Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific at the University of California, Berkeley here on Tuesday. - BERNAMA
UTM lonjak 76 anak tangga dalam ranking universiti Asia
UTM berada pada kedudukan ke-85 tahun ini berbanding ke-161 tahun sebelumnya dalam Ranking Universiti Asia Times Higher Education 2024.
Raja Salman undang 1,000 warga Palestin tunaikan haji
Raja Arab Saudi undang 1,000 jemaah daripada keluarga syahid, tahanan dan rakyat Palestin yang cedera untuk menunaikan haji tahun ini.
PM umum kerajaan teruskan baucar buku RM100, bermula esok
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengumumkan kerajaan bersetuju untuk meneruskan baucar buku berjumlah RM100 untuk tahun ini.
FAM tarik nafas lega, tingkat fokus majukan landskap bola sepak negara
FAM kini memberikan tumpuan memajukan landskap bola sepak negara selepas dua dakwaan salah guna kuasa diklasifikasikan sebagai tiada tindakan lanjut.
Seorang maut selepas terperangkap dalam enjin jet KLM di Amsterdam
Seorang individu maut selepas terperangkap di dalam enjin jet penerbangan KLM petang semalam di Lapangan Terbang Amsterdam Schiphol.
Tiga lagi kakitangan Kastam didakwa rasuah kes lori lolos pemeriksaan di KLIA
Mereka yang bertugas di JKDM KLIA, didakwa memperoleh untuk diri sendiri, suapan mengikut jumlah berkenaan, daripada seorang pemilik syarikat berusia 38 tahun.
Lelaki melecur ketika cuba selamatkan kereta Honda dalam kebakaran
Seorang lelaki melecur tahap dua semasa cuba menyelamatkan kereta jenis Honda FD miliknya yang terbakar di Kampung Wakaf Lichong di sini pada Khamis.
Angin kuat sehingga pesawat di pakir landasan bergerak
Sebuah pesawat American Airlines bergerak dari kedudukannya di pakir landasan di Lapangan Terbang Dallas Fort Worth ketika ribut membadai wilayah itu.
Kerajaan tak hapus subsidi diesel - Armizan
Armizan berkata subsidi itu masih wujud namun disasarkan semula untuk menangani isu ketirisan.
AWANI Ringkas: Bekas Presiden PPOC mengaku salah pecah amanah
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
PM umum kerajaan teruskan baucar buku RM100, bermula esok
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengumumkan kerajaan bersetuju untuk meneruskan baucar buku berjumlah RM100 untuk tahun ini.
PM sambut baik pengumuman komitmen pelaburan Google
Perdana Menteri menyambut baik pengumuman syarikat gergasi teknologi Google yang mengesahkan komitmen pelaburan bernilai RM9.4 bilion.
Kerajaan pertingkat Maqasid al-Syariah dalam pengembangan ekonomi - PM Anwar
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata kerajaan kini memasuki fasa kedua dalam usaha memperluas instrumen kewangan Islam.
PM Anwar mahu produk kewangan Islam jadi teras pembangunan ekonomi - Fahmi
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mahu produk kewangan Islam seperti sukuk dibangunkan supaya menjadi antara produk penting dan teras untuk pembangunan sektor ekonomi kewangan Islam.
NSS jadikan Malaysia juara kuasa ketiga industri semikonduktor dunia – Tengku Zafrul
Pelan Strategik Semikonduktor Kebangsaan (NSS) akan memposisikan Malaysia sebagai juara kuasa ketiga dan membolehkan kolaborasi bernilai tinggi dengan kuasa-kuasa besar dunia.
Tiga fasa Strategi Semikonduktor Nasional, tarik berbilion pelaburan - PM
Kerajaan berhasrat menarik sekurang-kurangnya RM500 bilion pelaburan menerusi Strategi Semikonduktor Nasional Malaysia, yang diterajui oleh Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI).
HAWANA 2024 iktiraf peranan pemain industri media - Teo
Sambutan Hari Wartawan Nasional (HAWANA) 2024 yang berakhir semalam menjadi platform untuk meraikan sumbangan para pemain industri media.
Apung harga diesel? Tunggu pengumuman - PM Anwar
Perdana Menteri menjelaskan sebarang tindakan mengapungkan harga diesel mengikut harga pasaran semasa akan dilakukan oleh Menteri Kewangan II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
KWAP labur RM3 bilion dalam dana pelaburan syariah
Inisiatif itu bagi menyokong pertumbuhan tinggi syarikat tempatan dan memangkin ekosistem teroka.
Kontrak suami Hannah Yeoh: ‘Pihak bertanggungjawab perlu telus’ - PM Anwar
Anwar menyerahkan kuasa kepada pihak bertanggungjawab untuk siasatan isu pemberian kontrak DRT oleh Kerajaan Selangor.