US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert said they would discuss strengthening the “Comprehensive Partnership” and how to advance common security and economic interests.

“This is based on our strongly-shared democratic values following the recent historic and peaceful government transition in Malaysia,” she said in a statement issued by the US Embassy here today.

Besides Kuala Lumpur, Pompeo is also scheduled to visit Singapore and Jakarta during his Aug 1-5 visit to the region.

The United States established diplomatic ties with Malaysia in 1957 following independence from the United Kingdom.

Washington DC and Kuala Lumpur elevated the bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership” in April 2014, and both sides now share a diverse and expanding partnership in trade, investment, security, environmental cooperation as well as educational and cultural relations.