Lai (second left) presents a book on Miri to Yun and a souvenir to Melanie (right) during their courtesy call.
MIRI: The United States of America ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun said the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) for Malaysia to US would possibly be sealed when leaders of both countries meet at the 27th Asean Summit next month.
He said President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had discussed the VWP last year and ever since there had been considerable progress on the matter.
“We made progress and have been very busy working towards the goal for the VWP.
“Some legislative arrangements need to be made for the VWP including exchange of criminal data and other information between US and Malaysia,” he said when asked on the VWP progress yesterday.
Yun and his wife Dr Melanie Billings-Yun are on their 5-day visit to Miri since Sunday and made a courtesy call on Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai at Miri City Council yesterday afternoon.
The 27th Asean Summit, to be attended by 10 Asean countries and seven dialogue partners including Japan, China, India and United States, will be held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Currently, 38 countries including Brunei and Singapore are participating in the United States VWP programme which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to US for tourism, business or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.