PUTRAJAYA: United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo called on Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday (Aug 3) for talks as he concluded his two-day inaugural visit to Malaysia.

During the 30-minute meeting at Perdana Putra, Pompeo - who is the most senior US official to visit Mahathir since his election victory - also took the opportunity to congratulate the Malaysian prime minister for his election win in May.



Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad received courtesy call by Secretary of State of the United States of America, H.E Mike Pompeo @SecPompeo at Perdana Putra this morning. A range of issues such as bilateral relations, regional & international matters were discussed



[Admin] pic.twitter.com/1FOEURbLaq — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) August 3, 2018

The secretary of state, who arrived at 9am, was accompanied by the US ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir.

Also present were defence minister Mohamad Sabu and deputy foreign minister Marzuki Yahya.

READ: Pompeo takes Indo-Pacific vision to Mahathir's Malaysia

Pompeo arrived in Malaysia on Thursday to kick off a five-day tour to three Southeast Asian countries.



He is heading to Singapore immediately after meeting Dr Mahathir for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

“The visit provides a great opportunity for both Malaysia and the United States of America to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” said a Wisma Putra statement.

The United States established diplomatic ties with Malaysia in 1957 following the then-Malaya's independence from the United Kingdom.

Congratulations to PM Mahathir & the people of #Malaysia on a successful election & democratic transition. I look forward to deepening our partnership on a range of issues. @StateDept @usembassykl pic.twitter.com/eBSyagc7Iy — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 3, 2018

Washington and Kuala Lumpur elevated bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership in April 2014.