KUALA LUMPUR, U.S. Embassy in Malaysia -- Four Malaysians have been accepted to continue their studies at prestigious U.S. service academies and prepare to become future Malaysian military officers. The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted a send-off ceremony on June 7 to mark their appointment.

Sixty-nine countries were invited to nominate candidates this year with the goal to enroll 15 candidates in each of the service academies, Michael Newbill, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said in his remarks at the event.

“Less than 20 percent of international applicants were selected. The selection process is very rigorous and competitive; candidates are evaluated on their academic performance, physical aptitude, character, and leadership potential. Congratulations to the cadets and their families for this incredible achievement,” Chargé d’Affaires Newbill said, adding that Malaysia currently has five cadets in U.S. Service Academies: one at the United States Military Academy, two at the United States Naval Academy and two at the United States Air Force Academy.

Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operations and Training, Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters, Major General Dato’ Zaidan bin Atan said, “The Malaysian Armed Forces always views the U.S. Service Academy Program as the linchpin of success and achievement in high level of defense diplomacy between Malaysia and the United States of America.”

The following Malaysia students were chosen after a rigorous selection process that evaluated their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements:

• Edlan Mikyad bin Ahmad Syamly from Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, and has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), in West Point, New York. He attended Damansara Utama Cluster Secondary School before joining Foundations in Engineering & Technology at the National Defense University of Malaysia.

• Muhamad Danish Imran bin Zainudin from Kulai, Johor, and will attend U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from Royal Military College Malaysia.

• Qarin Loqman Safriza from Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, has also been appointed to USNA in Annapolis, Maryland. Qarin Loqman was a student at Malay College Kuala Kangsar and Royal Military College.

• Zarif Bin Mohd Zamrin from Subang Jaya, Selangor, has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado. Zarif had attended SMK SS17 before completing his Foundation in Engineering Technology at the National Defense University of Malaysia. He aspires to become an air force fighter.