KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19- United States President Barack Obama’s visit to Malaysia next month will mark new history in bilateral ties between the two countries, said US ambassador-designate Joseph Y. Yun Wednesday.
In his first press conference since arriving here last week, Yun said Washington and Kuala Lumpur had seen improved linkages in every aspect especially political, trade, the economy as well as people-to-people relations.
“Ties between Malaysia and the US are now on a different and better spot than they were 10 years ago. A lot of misunderstandings have been solved,” he said.
The relationship, Yun said, would enter “a very exciting” period with President Obama’s visit next month, after the last visit by a US president to this country more than four decades ago.
Yun was alluding to President Lyndon B. Jonhson’s visit to Malaysia in 1966.
Obama will visit Malaysia for the 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit scheduled in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 11 to 12.
Yun said he considered himself “very fortunate” to come to Kuala Lumpur at a time when US-Malaysia relations were improving.
He was nominated by Obama on July 23, and confirmed by the full Senate on Aug 1 to be the US envoy to Malaysia.
He has yet to present his letter of credentials to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
Yun, who succeeds Datuk Paul W. Jones, said the US and Malaysia shared multicultural and multi-ethnic characteristics which contributed in helping bilateral ties to grow.
“Malaysia is not only geographically important to the United States but also a major political and diplomatic entity in the region.
He also referred to Malaysia’s significant role in the Asean regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian countries.
Yun most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
His overseas postings include South Korea, Thailand, France, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
The diplomat holds degrees from both the London School of Economics and University of Wales.
He and wife Dr Melanie Billings-Yun have a son.
– BERNAMA
