In a video message today the new ambassador said in flawless Bahasa Melayu that he was happy to be back.

He also said he was committed to strengthening the bond between the two nations and to help rebuild what was “lost” in the pandemic.

McFeeters said he and his family felt very privileged to be back in Malaysia again. Having served in Malaysia 10 years ago, he said they had fallen in love with Malaysia’s food, culture, and, most importantly, its people.

“Through my work with the Malaysian government, local business people, and civil society, I came to appreciate Malaysia as an important US partner and a leading member of Asean.”

McFeeters, who once served in Indonesia and is said to have considerable knowledge of Southeast Asia, can also speak Indonesian, French, Spanish, and German. He has 30 years of diplomatic experience under his belt.

McFeeters said he was proud to begin another chapter in Malaysia to strengthen economic, security, and social ties between the two nations.

“Covid-19 has challenged the world,” he said, “and I am committed to working with the government to do all we can to persevere and recover from it.”

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