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EXCHANGE OF THE INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS

The formal exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Governments the United States of America and Malaysia took place at the Treaty Room of the US Department of State at 11:00 a.m. on 21 January 2009.

Mr. Ilango Karuppannan, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. signed the Protocol for the Exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters on behalf of Malaysia. Ambassador Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary of State on East Asian and Pacific Affairs signed on behalf of the United States.

The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) was officially signed in Malaysia in conjunction with the visit of Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice during the 11^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/Post Ministerial Conferences and the ARF Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 28 July 2006.

In his remarks, Mr. Ilango remarked that it is indeed auspicious that the MLAT is being signed on the first day of the new US Administration. Beyond the symbolism of a new beginning, Mr. Ilango also said that the signing of the MLAT represented another milestone in bilateral relations.

Ambassador Scot Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asian Affairs and U.S. Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs was also in attendance. Others from the American side were, Ms. Kamala Lakhdir, Director of the Office of Maritime Southeast Asia, Mr. David Buchholz, Legal Advisor of the Office of Enforcement and Intelligence and Ms. Kelly McKellogg, Information Officer, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

From the Embassy of Malaysia, the officials present were Mr. Isham Ishak, Minister-Counsellor (Trade), Ms. Nor’Aini Abd. Hamid, Counsellor, Mr. Mohd. Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, First Secretary, Mr. Amir Faizal Ahmad, Second Secretary, Mr. Afdal Izal Hashim, Second Secretary, Ms. Siti Zubaidah, Education Attaché (MSD), Ms. Rosidah Radzian, Science Attaché (MPOB), Dr. Esah Sieh-Yip, Director of MREPC and Ms. Rafizah Zahri, Assistant Agricultural Attaché.