Trump may visit Malaysia in November, says US official

KUALA LUMPUR: United States President Donald Trump may travel to Malaysia in November to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

White House National Security Council senior Asian affairs director Matthew Pottinger said this was a distinct possibility as Trump could attend the Asean Summit in Singapore that month.

“We have the Asean Summit coming up later this year in Singapore, so there would be a possibility for the president to travel in November.”

Pottinger said Trump was looking forward to building a deeper American partnership with Malaysia under Dr Mahathir.

He said Trump, through a letter sent to the Malaysian government, congratulated Dr Mahathir on his electoral victory.

“Trump looks forward to deepening our partnership with Malaysia under Dr Mahathir’s leadership. That was the reason why I came to Malaysia,” Pottinger said after briefing US officials.

Pottinger, who is on a working visit to the country, said he met government officials and American business chambers to discuss the business climate in Malaysia.

“The relationship between US and Malaysia has been rooted in strong people-to-people ties. We share democratic values and vibrant commercial relations.

“This relationship transcends politic parties. We look forward to the two governments engaging in this relationship.”

Asked about North Korea and its nuclear programme, Pottinger said US was strongly opposed to this.

He said Malaysia should continue engaging with North Korea while pressuring the country to stop weapons production.

“The reason why Trump pursued a strategy of pressuring North Korea diplomatically, economically and ultimately engaging in diplomacy is to dismantle these terrible weapons.

“We are working through law enforcement and intelligence cooperation with Malaysia. Both nations can cooperate in counterterrorism.”