The forthcoming visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to meet President Donald Trump in America has raised some interest and some eyebrows.

1) I am sure John Malott, former US ambassador to Malaysia, will be eager to follow Najib's every step the moment he lands in the country. Having served in Malaysia and with much local knowledge and also lately having taken a keen interest on 1MDB affairs, Malott will surely be an authority on the Malaysian mindset and ways.

I happen to be the MP from Kuala Terengganu, the city where 1MDB originated (as the former Terengganu Investment Authority). Mallot said, ironically, that the US attorney-general is more concerned than his Malaysian counterpart that properties and money from 1MDB in the US are returned to Malaysia! That speaks volumes for the different ethical values of the two AGs!

2) The timing of Najib's visit would arouse the concern of most citizens as to its appropriateness. Firstly, is not Malaysia's general election just around the corner, as announced by none other than Najib himself recently? Also, is not the US Department of Justice (DOJ) at a crucial stage of its investigation into 1MDB?

What a surprising coincidence, Najib may exclaim! Also was it not Najib's team and his obedient ministers who said the DOJ investigation into 1MDB is foreign interference into Malaysia's affairs? Never mind Malaysia's and America's joint operation interference in the attack on Yemen under the Saudi coalition. So, is Najib in America to make peace or to lecture America about non-interference?

3) Secondly, Trump has been criticised at home and abroad for his deafening silence on the recent racist incident at Charlottesville and also other earlier similar incidents.

Najib has also been widely criticised for his elegant and super-deafening silence on various racist and extreme religious incidents in Malaysia. It seems both leaders prefer to let racist and religious bigotry fester and flourish for their own selfish political interests. Since they seem to share a common tendency to be indifferent to actions by extremist groups, is there a possibility that an unholy alliance may be in the making? We hope Malott may be able to advise us on the developments of this visit.

4) Lastly, will Trump try to persuade Najib not to be too accommodating to the Chinese government, which has been becoming such a dominant prescence in Malaysia?

After having sold off most of Malaysia's prime assets to China, what would it take to make Najib make a U-turn or compromise of some sorts? Any idea, anyone? Could the 1MDB matter perhaps be a possible topic that might be raised at the Trump-Najib discussions at any point in time ?

5) To maintain the integrity and good work that DOJ has been doing in battling the international money laundering industry, I strongly suggest that Malott advises the US government to reconsider the visit by Najib. The timing of the visit is totally inappropriate.

The whole world is watching closely the biggest kleptocracy case of all time and how it will unfold. The world will be watching what will transpire after Najib meets Trump. The DOJ has set an admirable benchmark as to how money laundering activities should be handled, no matter who the MO1 may be!

The US attorney-general may recall how the Malaysian attorney-general was uncermoniously suddenly "retired" at the crucial stage of his 1MDB investigation. I don't think Malott can forsee such interference being repeated in America. It is only possible in "bolehland," where Malott used to serve, and it is called Malaysia!

By the way, was not the former FBI chief replaced by Trump in the middle of an investigation into Trump's possible misconduct during the recent election of the US president? Is this just another coincidence, or is it a case of great desperate leaders thinking alike for self-preservation? Over to you, Malott.

RAJA BAHRIN SHAH is the MP for Kuala Terengganu and chairperson of the International Bureau of Parti Amanah Negara.