Ambassador Jones Visits the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center

Ambassador Jones (center) signs a visitor’s book inaugurating his visit to the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center (MPTC) in Port Dickson. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On May 22, Ambassador Paul Jones visited the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center (MPTC) in Port Dickson, Malaysia.  His arrival was warmly welcomed by the commandant of this center, Colonel Sardon Hassan.  The visit was jointly organized by the MPTC and U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation to express U.S. appreciation for Malaysia’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and other multilateral security initiatives. The Ambassador delivered brief remarks on U.S.-Malaysia bilateral relations and expressed his desire to further improve the U.S.-Malaysia military cooperation, including support for the MPTC. His field visit was accompanied by Commandant Colonel Hassan, who guided the Ambassador’s tour to the different training facilities of the center. Afterwards, the Ambassador talked to a group of journalists and later mingled with the students and trainers over refreshments.  

The visit helped establish direct links between the Malaysian military and our Embassy.  The visit also enabled both sides to identify and explore the value of growing U.S.-Malaysia military cooperation in contributing to the training of Malaysian peacekeepers who go on to serve in arduous UN Peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, South Sudan and the Republic of the Congo. In his remarks, the Ambassador expressed his hope to see more military cooperation between Malaysia and the United States in the coming years.