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20 June 2018

US President Trump sends letter hand carried by a senior aide congratulating Dr Mahathir on the recent electoral victory and explores visit,

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Matthew Pottinger beside Donald Trump

U.S. security adviser: Trump looking forward to building better ties with Malaysia

NST

KUALA LUMPUR: United States President Donald Trump is looking forward to building deepening American partnerships with Malaysia under Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

White House National Security Council senior Asian affairs director Matthew Pottinger said Trump, through a letter sent to the Malaysian government, congratulated Dr Mahathir on the recent electoral victory.

“I had the pleasure to convey a letter to the government today (yesterday) from President Trump congratulating Dr Mahathir on the coalition that he led and his electoral victory, and congratulating the Malaysian people as well.

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

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

“The relationship between the United States and Malaysia has been rooted in strong people-to-people ties; we share democratic values, and share vibrant commercial relations.

“This bilateral relationship... transcends politic parties between both countries. We look forward to the two governments engaging in this bilateral relationship,” he said.

Asked whether there would be a possibility of Trump meeting with the prime minister to strengthen the relationship between both countries, Pottinger said the coming Asean Summit later this year could possibly bring the two leaders together.

“We have got the Asean Summit coming up later this year in a (country) close to Malaysia (Singapore), so there would be a possibility for the president to travel in November,” he said.

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

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

“That is a great assault on human indecency and international law. These horrific weapons shall have no place in the hands of regimes that violate international law.

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

“Of course we are working through law enforcement and intelligence cooperation with Malaysia and we are continuing to do so. Both nations can cooperate in counter-terrorism,” he added. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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