KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- The U.S. Peace Corps will end 21 years of service inMalaysia because the 'country has progressed tremendously' and no longer needs the volunteers, the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday.
'There are only 48 volunteers left in Malaysia and by November all of them will have gone back to the States,' an embassy official said.
'We are winding up operations in Malaysia because the country has progressed tremendously and is capable of training its own people in different areas,' the official said.
The government paid tribute to the Peace Corps with a farewell dinner Monday night which was attended by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Goh Cheng Teik, and the Director the U.S. Peace Corps, Loret Ruppe.
Dr. Goh said: 'On behalf of the Malaysian Government, I pay tribute to the 3,500 volunteers who have served our country and people with diligence, devotion and dedication over the last 21 years.'
He said apart from contributing to the development of the economy and society, the Peace Corps had also promoted a better understanding between the peoples of Malaysia and the United States.
The Embassy official said the Peace Corps was giving greater attention to deserving regions like Africa, Latin America and Haiti in the Carribean where their services are required.
The Peace Corps withdrew from South Korea, the Ivory Coast and Colombia in 1981, and from Chile last year.
