PUTRAJAYA, May 29 — The United States has stated its willingness to provide forensics assistance to the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) following the discovery of 139 graves, believed to be of refugees, in Wang Kelian, Perlis, according to a statement by the Malaysian Home Ministry.

The statement said the offer was made during a meeting between Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in New York in conjunction with Ahmad Zahid's official visit to the US.

Ahmad Zahid is on an official visit to the US from May 26 till June 1. He is scheduled to the attend the United Nations Security Council meeting on terrorism in New York today.

The statement said in the meeting, Ahmad Zahid and Johnson also discussed bilateral cooperation on security matters including on Malaysia's progress on the US Visa Waiver Programme.

Other issues discussed were cooperation in combating transborder crimes, human trafficking, steps taken by Malaysia to tackle the problem of IS militants via the country's Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015 and Special Measures to Counter Acts of Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act 2015, according to the statement.

The statement added that Johnson had also expressed his gratitude to Ahmad Zahid for his willingness to attend the UNSC meeting and give a speech on Malaysia’s efforts to combat IS miltants and foreign terrorists.

According to the statement, Ahmad Zahid had also visited the headquarters of the US Coast Guard, an agency under the US’ Department of Homeland Security to guard’s the country coast, including entry of cargo.

In his meeting with the agency’s officials, the USCG had also stated its willingness to train RMP’s and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel on capacity building to combat human trafficking via sea, the statement said.

The USCG has much experience in tackling arrival of illegal immigrants, smuggling of of weapons and drugs via sea, it added. — Bernama