US PRAISES MALAYSIA'S ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS

WASHINGTON: Malaysia's anti-narcotics officials and police officers
have received the thumbs-up from the Bush administration.

The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2002,
released here on Monday, speaks of them as "competent" and noted that
they "have the full support of senior government officials."

Malaysian police, it says, have continued to investigate and prosecute
narcotics crimes vigorously, identifying abusers and traffickers, and
limiting the distribution, sale and financing of illicit drugs in the
country.

The report points out that Malaysia does not produce a significant
amount of illicit drugs.

"Some heroin and opium from the nearby Golden Triangle area transit
Malaysia, but there is little evidence that a significant amount of
this heroin reaches the US market," it says.

"Co-operation with the United States on combating drug trafficking is
excellent," it adds, noting that US law enforcement agencies will
continue to co-operate with the Malaysian authorities to monitor drugs
transiting Malaysia.

The report says the US government will continue to pursue the Mutual
Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Malaysia.

Such a treaty will assist US law enforcement personnel in obtaining
information and investigative assistance from their Malaysian
counterparts.

Last year, Parliament passed legislation that allows Malaysia to enter
into negotiations with the United States on the treaty.

An extradition treaty between the US and Malaysia came into force in
1997 but has not yet been tested.