KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Allegations pertaining to the United States spying activities would not adversely affect Washington-Kuala Lumpur ties, said Jane Chongchit Houston, the US State Department’s country coordinator for Maritime Southeast Asia, Office of Public Diplomacy.

She said the US was open to any dialogue if there was disagreement, and the strong people-to-people connection between Malaysians and Americans would help overcome any issue involving the two countries.

“It is easier to solve matters if there is more human interaction between two countries.

“People-to-people relations between Malaysia and the US is very strong, with annually more than 100 people involved in exchange programmes at various levels, including students and professionals,” she told Bernama during a dinner with Malaysia-American Exchange Programmes Alumni organised by the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur here last night.

Houston, who is based in Washington DC, was on a two-day visit here after visiting Manila, Jakarta and Singapore. She visited Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Unitar) to discuss opportunities for the students to undergo internship in the US and the Islamic Arts Museum. 

Houston said since US and Malaysia established diplomatic ties in 1957, more than 6,000 Malaysians had been sent to the US for various exchange programmes, including the International Visitor Leadership Programme, trainings, internships and student exchange programmes.

“These exchange programme alumni members have better understanding on the US and will make positive impact in bilateral ties when they become leaders in future. The alumni members are the solid foundation for a stronger US-Malaysia ties later,” she reasoned.

The issue of US spying activities surfaced, following newspaper reports on an allegation by intelligence whistle-blower Edward Joseph Snowden that the US had 90 electronic surveillance facilities worldwide, including in the US Embassy here.

According to earlier reports, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia, in principle, opposed any spying activity on any government as it involved the question of national sovereignty. 

Malaysia also sent protest notes to the US Embassy and the Australian High Commission here on the alleged spying by both the foreign missions in this country. — Bernama