Security issues, bilateral cooperation focus of Zahid-Tillerson discussions

KUALA LUMPUR: Security issues, including human trafficking, and bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United States were among the focus of discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said during the 40minute meeting with Tillerson, they discussed and exchanged views on security developments and regional and international issues of common interest.

“Hopefully, interaction between the leaders of both countries can strengthen bilateral relations and be a catalyst to enhancing relations and understanding between Malaysia and the United States,” he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the meeting of the two leaders in Parliament building, here, yesterday.

Tillerson, who is on a two-day working visit to Malaysia from Tuesday, is the first US high official under President Donald Trump’s administration to visit Malaysia since being appointed as Secretary of State on Feb 1.

In combating threats of transborder crime including human trafficking, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia needed to forge cooperation with its strategic partners including the US.

He said Malaysia’s initiatives in tackling these issues had been recognised by the US Department of State in its 2017 Annual Report which had placed Malaysia at Level Two.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had achieved Level Two compared to Level Two (Observation) in 2016 as it had shown drastic improvement in terms of criminal prosecution (100 cases in 2017), as well as enforcement.