CLINTON CITES "MALAYSIA, AMERICA CAN" AFTER SUCCESSFUL VISIT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton signalled the end of her successful three-day official trip to Malaysia
by saying "Malaysia, America Boleh!" (Malaysia, America Can (do it)).

Saying that she liked what she saw in Malaysia on her maiden visit, she
added "I can guarantee you that it is not going to be my last, I am looking
forward to returning."

"I had excellent meetings yesterday (Tuesday) with the deputy prime minister
and with the foreign minister, and by telephone, with the prime minister. And
one of the most important goals that we share is to boost economic growth and
widespread prosperity in Malaysia and across the Asia Pacific region.

"Malaysia's economy, which has done so well, was hard hit by the global
downturn (last year), but it has come back strong this year. And the challenge
that is being met by the leadership and the citizens of Malaysia to continue to
put Malaysia back on track for high growth is impressive, indeed.

"What you have done in Malaysia, as evidenced by the dynamism of the
economy, and everything that I saw driving around Kuala Lumpur, is exactly what
we would hope for in the broader (Asia Pacific) region. You are creating good
jobs and raising incomes and lifting out of poverty people who are now finally
having the chance to fulfill their own dreams," she said.

Clinton was sent off at Skypark Terminal in Subang near here by several
Malaysian and American officials, including Transport Minister Kong
Cho Ha, Malaysian ambassador to the US, Jamaluddin Jarjis and the US ambassador
to Malaysia, Paul Jones, Malaysia Airlines Chairman Dr Munir Majid and Malaysia
Airlines Managing Director/CEO Tengku Azmil Zahruddin.

Earlier on, Clinton witnessed a showcase of Malaysia Airlines' partnership
with American companies like Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and GE. Also on display
were the newly-arrived Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 from Seattle with its
new livery and Boeing Sky interior, and a Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engine.

Malaysia Airlines had ordered 50 P&W engines which will be used to power 25
A330 aircraft it had ordered from Airbus. The national airline has also placed
orders for 55 Boeing 737-800s.

Clinton said the P&W engines would be assembled in Connecticut with parts
made in Georgia and Maine while the engine maintenance would be undertaken by
Malaysians.

Saying that this kind of trade had many benefits because it created many
high paying and skilled jobs in both countries, she stressed that such mutually
beneficial cooperation would contribute to the global economy recovery and "puts
us back on the path to prosperity".

In response to remarks by Munir that Malaysia Airlines would be the first
full-service airline to have the Sky interior with better ambience, higher
ceiling and bigger overhead storage compartments in the B737-800, Clinton
quipped: "You're going to have people standing in line to fly on this airplane."

Munir said Malaysia Airlines was appreciative of the good support from
American companies like Boeing, GE and Pratt & Whitney over the years.

"There will be challenges ahead given the keen competition in the aviation
industry as there will be in the geo-political environment. Long established
institutions and companies, however, like countries and partnerships are not
going to be blown away by new and competing ones, we (Malaysia Airlines) are
here to stay," he said.
-- BERNAMA


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