Malaysia, a majority Muslim nation in Southeast Asia, has long been a partner in U.S. security
and economic initiatives in the region, although political sensitivities in Malaysia have
constrained both sides from forging deeper ties or even acknowledging how close the relationship
is. Bilateral relations have improved over the past decade, especially under Prime Minister Najib
Razak, who has made relations with the United States a priority. The Obama Administration has
emphasized deeper engagement with Malaysia and other “emerging partners” in Southeast Asia
as part of the strategic “rebalancing” of U.S. resources and attention to the Asia-Pacific region.
Congress has expressed interest in a variety of issues in U.S.-Malaysia relations over the years,
especially regarding trade, security cooperation, human rights, and Malaysia’s diplomacy