MALAYSIAN AMBASSADOR TO US HOPES TO ENHANCE MALAYSIA-U.S. RELATIONS

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Ambassador to the United States
Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said he hoped to help enhance relations between
Malaysia and the United States, covering a wide spectrum of areas of cooperation
including exchange of visits at the highest level.

"In strengthening our bilateral relations under the new administration on
both sides, I look forward to the visit of the Malaysian prime minister (Najib
Tun Razak) to the United States and of President Obama to Malaysia in
the near future," he said.

Jamaludin presented his credentials to the US secretary of state on Friday.

Touching on tourism, Jamaludin said there was a slight drop in the
US-Malaysia inbound and outbound tourist traffic due to the economic downturn.

The total number of American tourist arrivals in Malaysia from January to
July was only 22,604 compared to 23,080 in the same period last year, indicating
a decline of 2.1 per cent.

Jamaludin, a former Cabinet minister was appointed as the new Malaysian
ambassador to the United States on Aug 4, and holds ministerial rank.

-- BERNAMA