PETALING JAYA, Mar 31 (Sin Chew Daily) – Revisiting Malaysia after a lapse of ten years, the new United States Ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Mr Brian D. McFeeters found the country's economic growth astonishing.

"Between 2011 and 2020, Malaysia registered phenomenal economic development. Look at the highrise towers here, and the expansion of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Of course, the US economy is also growing, but not as fast as here."

He said during a visit to the Sin Chew Daily headquarters in Petaling Jaya yesterday, "Asia's economy has been growing at breakneck pace, but back in America, the coronavirus has become a hindrance to growth."

McFeeters said the cooperation between American and Malaysian universities had also witnessed dramatic changes during this period of time.

"Malaysian students can now study right here for the first two years before completing the remaining two years in the States. This makes it much more affordable than spending four years in a university in the US."

He added that there was also close cooperation between the US Department of Justice and its Malaysian counterpart.

McFeeters pointed out that because of the pandemic he didn't get to travel around to get a better picture of the vast changes taking place in Malaysia over these few years.

He said once the interstate travel ban is lifted, he hoped to travel around to see the country.

"I haven't been to Perak. Although I have been to Johor several times, I haven't got a chance to take a better look at the state.

"I have also visited Sabah and Sarawak, but only in Kuching for Sarawak. I know Sarawak is very large.

"As for Sabah, from what I understand, the United States has a lot of environment-related projects with Malaysia in the state."