KOTA KINABALU: The Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26), a multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission, concluded its fourth stop and first-time mission here, forging better relations among the participating countries.
The Armed Forces' Joint Forces Commander Lt-Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim said participation in Pacific Partnership programmes had been a longstanding tradition.
This reflects a continued commitment to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, regional cooperation, capacity building and military diplomacy, he said, adding that Malaysia is proud to have hosted PP26.
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"PP26 has also reminded us of something fundamental, that partnership is not built by nations standing beside one another but by nations working with one another.
"And over the past several days, that is exactly what we have done," he was quoted as saying in a press statement by the US Embassy in Malaysia on Monday (Sept 14).
US Navy Adm Steve Koehler, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said PP26 assembled a formidable team of equals in Malaysia.
"We made the extremely difficult look easy, which is a demonstration of our professionalism, and we did that with many different countries working together towards one mission.
"What we accomplished here proves that in the Pacific, the ocean is not what separates us – it’s what brings us together," he said.
US Army Capt Noppamas Suttinun, the PP26 Malaysia disaster management lead, said working alongside their Malaysian counterparts highlighted the importance of flexibility, communication and shared planning when operating across different systems.
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She said by navigating those differences together and engaging with government and religious leaders, participants gained a better understanding of how to coordinate capabilities, anticipate challenges, and leverage trusted community networks to build an effective response and support recovery during future disasters.
US Navy Cmdr Jon Craig, PP26 chaplain and host nation outreach lead, said participants experienced warm Malaysian hospitality and friendliness throughout the events here.
"They were the epitome of welcoming hosts and demonstrated what makes Malaysian culture beautiful.
"These people-to-people connections form bonds which transcend culture, language and nation, connecting with the soul and explicitly contributing to the resiliency, collaboration and perseverance of our peoples," he said.
Throughout their time here from Sept 2, service members comprising 192 from the United States and 75 from partner nations collaborated with 235 Malaysian Armed Forces counterparts in more than three dozen activities.
These activities were based on the mission’s four lines of effort: medical, disaster management, engineering, and host nation outreach engagements.
The mission team worked with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and local educational and medical institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Queen Elizabeth Hospital II, and the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital Likas.
Participating nations included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
The Malaysia stop marked the sixth time the Pacific Partnership has visited Malaysia, and the mission’s first time in Kota Kinabalu.
