Sabah: Outgoing United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan, who is set to end his tour of duty on Feb 16, bade an emotional farewell to Sabah, describing the state as a place that holds a special spot in his heart after years of service in the country. Kagan, who began serving as ambassador since December 2023 and previously as deputy chief of mission, said his family had accumulated incredible memories of their time here, from the wildlife of Sandakan to the coasts of Semporna.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kagan shared that his family and he have spent over five years in Malaysia, which is longer than they've spent in any other place since then. He expressed that it was moving for them to prepare to leave. Kagan highlighted his affection for Malaysia, noting the special significance of Sabah in his professional efforts to bolster US engagement with the region.

Despite his extensive travels, Kagan admitted to one significant regret during his tenure-missing the opportunity to scale Malaysia's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. He humorously acknowledged that he wasn't organized enough to undertake the climb as ambassador. However, he sees this as a reason to return, stating his intention to come back as a private citizen and tourist to finally experience the climb.

On the security front, Kagan acknowledged the progress made in Eastern Sabah since the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013, highlighting the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) as a success story. He noted that the integration of various security and government tools in the zone has made a tangible difference and objectively improved the security situation.

Kagan expressed confidence in the commitment shown by the Malaysian and Sabah governments to address security concerns, believing that it paves the way for a positive outcome. He emphasized that both he and his colleagues at the embassy have witnessed the tremendous progress firsthand and intend to communicate this improvement to the American public.