Follmer (third left), Yeo (fourth left) and Lee (sixth left) with the Third MEF Band musicians.
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Christina Liew has lauded the US Marine Corps’ efforts in bringing the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Band to the state.
“I commend the joint effort by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, the US Embassy as the US Marine Corps for organising the event today (Friday). It is my hope that this event will foster and strengthen the good relations and friendship between Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and the United States.
“This is also a good platform to forge close collaboration and cooperation amongst us,” Christina said in her speech, read by he Political Secretary Vivien Lee.
Earlier in the event, the US Embassy’s Environment, Science and Technology Officer West Follmer said that the Third MEF Band is actually a sole musical representative of the United States Marine Corps in the East Asia and Pacific region.
“They enjoy a busy schedule filled with performances across the region,” he added.
It is understood that the band has made it a priority to participate in community outreach programmes including international military band festivals and performances.
“They had been performing at school in Tamparuli, Sindumin, Sipitang, Kuala Penyu as well as the Sepanggar Naval Base,” Follmer disclosed.
Liew is confident that the presence and performance by the Third MEF Band would further promote the state of Sabah as a whole and its capital, Kota Kinabalu.
“This will certainly help to support and enhance our tourism industry,” Liew added.
He said that that the band was in town in conjunction with the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Exercise CARAT), a series of annual bilateral military exercises conducted by the United State Pacific Fleet with several members nations on ASEAN in South East Asia.
The objectives of CARAT include enhancing regional cooperation, building friendships and strengthening professional skills.
Among those present in the event, held at Lintasan Deasoka, were mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt.