US signals readiness to revive people-to-people education ties and reassess Sabah security

Educational exchanges and security cooperation are emerging again as key pillars in the evolving US-Malaysia relationship, signaling renewed momentum in bilateral engagement.

Renewed Interest in the ETA Program
The United States has expressed clear interest in reviving its English Teaching Assistants (ETA) program in Malaysia, an initiative that ran from 2011 until it was halted in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. US Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Edward Kagan said the program was highly successful and could be restarted if the Malaysian government is open to it.

Building Long-Term People-to-People Connections
Speaking during a media meet-and-greet, Kagan emphasized that the ETA program went beyond education. Around 1,000 young American graduates, typically aged 22 or 23, were placed in schools across Malaysia, many in rural areas, where they lived within local communities while teaching English. According to Kagan, nearly all participants left Malaysia as long-term advocates for the country.

Shaping Perceptions on Both Sides
Kagan likened the impact of the ETA program to that of Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s and 1970s, noting that such initiatives produce lasting “champions” for bilateral relations. He shared that many Malaysians were surprised by their interactions with Americans, often challenging stereotypes shaped by television and film portrayals.

Acknowledging Challenges While Highlighting Success
While acknowledging that not every participant had a smooth experience, Kagan stressed that the overwhelming majority benefited significantly. He noted that the program’s main challenges lay in operational mechanisms rather than outcomes, reinforcing its overall value to both nations.

Progress on Sabah’s East Coast Security
Beyond education, Kagan also addressed the longstanding US travel advisory on Sabah’s east coast. He said Washington is moving closer to revising the advisory after observing “tremendous progress” in security since the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion. The region is currently classified as Level 2, advising increased caution.

Confidence in Ground-Level Improvements
After personally visiting the area last year, Kagan praised the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Escom) for improving coordination among security agencies. He said security conditions have objectively improved and that this assessment is likely to be communicated to the American public, pending final approval from authorities in Washington.

Together, the potential revival of the ETA program and the reassessment of Sabah’s travel advisory reflect a broader strengthening of trust, mobility, and collaboration between the US and Malaysia. These developments also carry regional implications, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s importance in educational exchange, security stability, and diplomatic engagement for Indonesians and Singaporeans alike.

Sources: Malay Mail (2026) , Yahoo! News Malaysia (2026)

Keywords: English Teaching Assistants, US Malaysia Relations, Sabah Travel Advisory, US Embassy Malaysia, People To People Ties