Towards Better US-Malaysia Ties, says Ambassador Paul. W. Jones
September 14, 2010
New US Ambassador Paul W. Jones Vows better US-Malaysia Relations
US Ambassador (Designate) to Malaysia Paul W. Jones
Jones, who reported duty at his office here today, said US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had encouraged him “to harmonise the relations by having conversations and engagements with all parties.”
“I’m looking forward to presenting my credentials to the King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin) and speaking with the Malaysian government on what we can do together. One of the things I certainly want to do is making sure our conversation or engagement with the people of Malaysia is very broad so that we can build more understanding on some of issues,” he told a press conference at the US Embassy, here today.
Jones said he was also eager to meet American business leaders and companies in Malaysia to deepen the economic relations and to explore new potential opportunities.
Jones highlighted that ties between Malaysia and the US had been very good for some time. “Trade should continue and be strengthened as it creates more jobs, investments and entrepreneurs and it also coordinates to a better cooperation in many sections including science and technology,” he added.
Jones was sworn in by Secretary Clinton recently. His nomination was proposed by President Obama on July 12 and confirmed by the US Senate on August 5, 2010.He has served in a variety of challenging assignments in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
His most recent position was as the Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and concurrently, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
Welcome, Ambassador Jones, yes, I am for better Malaysia-US relations founded on mutual respect. There is no reason why relations between our countries need to be contentious and acrimonious. Our new administration under Prime Minister Najib has no hang-ups about dealing with the US in keeping with the covenants of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the United Nations charter.
During your tour of duty, I expect more cultural, educational, and business exchanges between Malaysia and the US. Our Ambassador in Washington DC too is taking our relations with the US a few notches up. –Din Merican
dinobeano - September 14, 2010 at 2:20 pm
One of the things I certainly want to do is making sure our conversation or engagement with the people of Malaysia is very broad so that we can build more understanding on some of issues,” he told a press conference at the US Embassy, here today.
When Kevin Rudd visited Malaysia officially on a state visit upon his appointment as the new PM of Australia, he said the same thing while in Canberra. But when he arrived in Malaysia, he broke tradition of a visiting Australian Prime Minister by refusing to meet the Head of the Opposition, Anwar Ibrahim. Hope your words, Ambassador Jones, are not mere rhtorics too?
Sentinel - September 14, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Lets be intelligent and pragmatic and not destructive. We are a small nation but important and have to coexist with bigger nations such as the US of A, China and India. We can be pragmatic and strategise and use our strength ( that which makes us strong as a nation). We can be the example of a muslim nation that is progressive once again. Listen to LKY on how he made S’pore into what it is today when they had nothing and he said he had millions of lives depending on him. That is just an example so don’t get all worked up for those who have had enough of LKY. Of course S’pore has its weaknesses but lets face it economically they are powerful and lead. No excuses. it was born out desperation to survive.
And so where am I going with this. We have the Straits, we have multiculturalism, we are educated, we have different religions, we have connections to the Middle East . We have skilled people. We need to engage with USA and be smart about this. We need to come up to scratch and be part of the solution. We need to show that we have what it takes. we need to get everything in order and we cannot afford to make any more mistakes can we.
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Kathy, we will make mistakes; but learn from them and do not make the same mistakes again and again.–Din Merican
Kathy - September 14, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@Sentinel
As far as I know diplomatic covenant does not cover receiving opposition leaders as guests of government. This will tantamount to acknowledging support with the opposition. It goes against diplomatic convention which is basically government-to-government.
_________
I disagree.That is nonsense when you say “diplomatic covenant does not cover receiving opposition leaders as guests of government.” The political opposition is part of the system of checks and balances in a democracy.That is Politics 101. In the UK, the Prime Minister consults the Leader of the Opposition in times of national crisis. Opposition politicians are also allowed to attend security briefings. –Din Merican
Sayang Bangsa - September 14, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hi Din, Yes you are right mistakes will be made however I suppose I mean we have to more prudent now since we are looking at the bigger picture of carrying the country to a new level.We need to be smart and work with USA and other big nations in all areas that we can learn from and they can learn from us.
Kathy - September 14, 2010 at 5:14 pm
It is what Ambassador Jones does not say that interests me. Not what he says.
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Since he has not said anything about what he does not say, we will just have to wait until he does say what he does not want to say.
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 6:35 pm
The question then Mr Bean is what exactly is he not saying.
Kathy - September 14, 2010 at 6:49 pm
That we cannot say because he is not saying.
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Since he is not saying and we cannot say what he is not saying, what is there left to say?
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 7:12 pm
They should bring back former Ambassador Malott because he has a lot to say.
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 7:14 pm
You Mr Bean obviously have a lot to say considering you cannot say what he is not saying.
Kathy - September 14, 2010 at 7:19 pm
The reason why he can’t say what he wants to say, and is saying what he can say, is becuz he’s a deputy-assistant Secretary of State. In Malaysia, that’s called the Assistant kerani of the Deputy kerani of the Chief kerani.. i.e. ADC.
A long time ago, just after Biliary Clinton’s first inaugeration, a friend of mine who was an assistant sec. of Kazanah was feted in Washington D.C., instead of his boss, who was the dep. sec. First thing for new American diplomats is to understand that the assistant is below the deputy in here parts. Law of Inverse Ratio.
Menyalak-er - September 14, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Much ado about nothing.
Mr Bean - September 14, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Mr Merican
It’s not nonsensical. I was replying to Sentinel who asked why Kevin Rudd rebuffed Anwar when he visited Malaysia.
Of course he will not meet leaders of the opposition of the country he’s visiting. That’s not the done thing, diplomacy wise. Same if Anwar proposed to call on President Obama if he visits DC.
He will be rejected because he is not head of a government.
Anwar can only get to call on the House of Reps or the Senate majority leader at best.
Ambassdor Malott, please enter if you are reading this. I stand corrected.
Sayang Bangsa - September 14, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Mr Bean, funny! I had a lot I wanted to say when I was Ambassador, but I couldn’t say it. But now I am a free man and can say what I want to say (within limits).
Sayang Bangsa — There is no hard and fast rule about heads of government (like Prime Ministers) meeting with the leaders of the opposition. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t.
What I find more interesting in the Malaysian case is that Malaysian Embassies overseas usually won’t give opposition leaders the time of day. But when US politicians come to Malaysia, it dodesn’t matter whether they are Republican or Democrat. The US Embassy will take care of everyone.
John Malott - September 15, 2010 at 1:34 am
“Mr Bean, funny! I had a lot I wanted to say when I was Ambassador, but I couldn’t say it’” Ambassador Malott
Ambassador Malott,
In my line of work I have had to deal with the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to defend my clients. The U.S. immigration courts rely on those reports to arrive at their decisions; and to the exclusion, in many cases, of other more complete and accurate reports from other sources like Amnesty International. I find it frustrating because often the reports – though fairly accurate on the facts – fall short of expectation. And all because the U.S. Department of State has to consider the sensitivity of the host government. In the process some claims for asylum on account of persecution and torture have been denied which should not have been denied. Here I am not referring to Malaysia.
Notwithstanding the measured sensitivity shown by the U.S. Department of State to the host government when making these reports, UMNO Youth and PAS would still find reasons to take to the streets demanding that the U.S. government stop interfering in Malaysia’s domestic affairs.
Yes, we know as the sitting ambassador your hands are tied and your lips are sealed. You have to limit yourself to making politically correct statements.
Mr Bean - September 15, 2010 at 8:26 am
“What I find more interesting in the Malaysian case is that Malaysian Embassies overseas usually won’t give opposition leaders the time of day.” Ambassador Malott
That is because the Malaysian civil service has long turned into an appendage of the political party that runs the country. This goes against the doctrine of civil service neutrality.
Mr Bean - September 15, 2010 at 8:31 am
“There is no hard and fast rule about heads of government (like Prime Ministers) meeting with the leaders of the opposition. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. ”
Amb. Malott
Only M’sians would make a fuss especially Umno because they fail to understand the very concept of an Opposition in the building of a nation.
Kathy - September 15, 2010 at 8:34 am
Abassador Malott
You are so right.
Bet you we will roll out the red carpet for Sarah Palin if she comes to town.
But to be fair to our diplomats, opposition leaders are also given preferential treatment when overseas.
@Mr Merican and Mr Bean
As you guys know well, our embassies overseas are duty-bound to serve the Government of the day.
As you all know, our mission in London especially ‘are busiest’ as compared to other outposts.
The First Secretary downwards spend almost every day at Heathrow to welcome and send off our dignitaries or their wives.
Our people love London, maybe nostalgia for ye olde England, British being our colonial masters.
Guess they are busier now with Rosmah Mansor, being a shopaholic.
After their tour of duty, these diplomats may ask hey what have I done except to carry Rosmah’s bags and memorizing the landscape of Heathrow to London.
Sayang Bangsa - September 15, 2010 at 9:00 am
“Umno…fail to understand the very concept of an Opposition in the building of a nation” Kathy.
How is Umno going to understand the concept of Opposition when its leaders want a “pembakang-sifar” (zero Opposition) government. These morons don’t even know what a democracy is let alone the mechanism and principles involved. The Javanese toyol who once ruled Selangor is one firm believer in the maxim.
Tok Cik - September 15, 2010 at 10:35 am
The Malaysian Embassy or Consulate will send a warning to all Malaysian students not to attend or meet with the opposition leaders. That’s how scared BN is of the young people being informed of political situation in Malaysia.
semper fi - September 15, 2010 at 1:10 pm
You know Tok Cik in mature democracies, the Opposition has a duty to the voters and themselves to pay the role of alternative Government.The Leader of the Opposition is sometimes given access to sensitive information on the basis that he or she as the Prime Minister in waiting has to ready to perform the role of running the country in relatively short notice.
They are lawfully elected and therefore within the legislature this grouping are called the Opposition. Their role is imperative to building the nation to promote debate, a training ground for future leaders,they maintain touch with voter-citizen and demonstrate the relevanc of politics to ordinary and the oppressed marginalised and disenfrenchised.
That our country doesnt understand the principles of democracy is unforgivable and unacceptable in this day and age.
Kathy - September 15, 2010 at 8:07 pm