KUALA LUMPUR: The meeting between the United States Treasury Department's high-level sanctions official and the Malaysian government is part of a unified global response to critical threats, says United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan.
"They're coming here as part of our ongoing discussions with key partners on the importance of a unified global response to critical threats and continuing to work closely together with the government of Malaysia and the government of Singapore."
Kagan was responding to requests by reporters to specify details following the report that the US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson, will travel to Malaysia and Singapore this week as Washington seeks to combat funding for Iran and its proxy groups, as well as evasion of its sanctions on Russia.
"These discussions are typically very candid, very frank, and cover a wide range of issues.
"But I will say that we're approaching this very much in the spirit of partnership, with the sense that we do share common threats and challenges and that we all recognise the importance of the international community standing together on things that are critical to the security of all of us," he said.
Quoting a source close to the matter, the Reuters report said there has been an uptick in money moving to Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, through the Malaysian financial system, with Nelson expected to discuss US concerns and the sanctions risk that such activity poses.
Reuters also reported that Nelson's visit also comes as the US Treasury increases its focus on terrorist financing through Southeast Asia, including through fundraising efforts and illicit Iranian oil sales.
In December, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on four Malaysia-based companies alleged to be fronts supporting Iran's production of drones.
Kagan, when asked further on whether Malaysia is a hub for oil transshipment to Iran, said he is confident that the Malaysian government understands the US position with regard to the transshipment of oil that has been sanctioned and the potential impact it could have.
"And so we look forward to candid and frank discussions that are going to be done very much from our standpoint in the spirit of working together to address a common problem," he said at the Defence Services Asia 2024 and National Security (Natsec) exhibitions here.