KUALA LUMPUR: The United States Coast Guard (USCG) seeks to strengthen the capabilities and capacity of its Malaysian counterpart in the high seas.
In her visit to the country, USCG Commandant Admiral Linda L. Fagan emphasised the importance of Malaysia and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) role in the maritime stability of the region.
"Malaysia has a huge volume of marine transportation traffic where those ships brings critical economic prosperity to the region.
"The country absolutely plays a vital role in the maritime security governance, they are the key to security and environmental protection of all of the maritime realm here in the region and as such MMEA is a vital part of that leadership and partnership.
"They are a critical partner to us in the region," she said.
Fagan, who is the first woman commandant for the USCG, arrived in the country on May 28 where her itinerary involved several conversations and high-level discussions with its Malaysian partners.
Detailing several past initiatives that aimed at enhancing US-Malaysia maritime cooperation, she said that the USCG cutter Bertholf conducted joint patrols with the MMEA during a port visit to Port Klang in March.
"Additionally, the USCG cutter Munro's recent port call last year and the presence of a Southeast Asia training team have facilitated educational and training exchanges, further strengthening capabilities within the MMEA.
"This strengthening of capabilities to MMEA can also be seen through the transfer of one of our cutters that we're moving forward with."
It was reported that the MMEA is making preparations to acquire a retired USCG medium endurance class cutter. The move is expected to enhance Malaysia's maritime enforcement capabilities and promote greater collaboration in areas such as search and rescue and illegal fishing.
Looking to the future, Fagan said that the continous partnership with MMEA only opens up more opportunities for the USCG to enhance and reinforce their counterpart.
"I really do look forward to the conversations today to reinforce with our Malaysian counterparts and affirm what we're already doing as partners with them.
"And again, whether it's passing exercises, tabletops, key leader exchanges, subject matter exchanges, there's really nothing but opportunity in front of us.
"It is our desire is to be a partner of choice for MMEA and it's really for MMEA and Malaysia to define what that is and we're ready and able to engage in that."