Several American congressmen are forming a Malaysian caucus on Capitol Hill in order to promote better relations between the two countries, said a report today.

Quoting congressional sources, a Bernama report from Washington said the Malaysian Trade, Security and Economic Cooperation Caucus will be chaired by House Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas, and co-chaired by Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York.

Both congressmen had visited Malaysia in January this year and met Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar and Bank Negara Governor Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

The creation of the caucus has been in the works for the past month and a similar caucus in the senate is also being formed.

Two dozen members, added Bernama , are expected to join initially and some 15 members said to be friends of Malaysia have already indicated their intention to join.

Congressional aide Adrian Plesha said the idea for the caucus came about following Sessions visit to Malaysia.

The congressman was apparently impressed by the development in Malaysia and saw enormous opportunity for US businessmen.

Furthermore, Malaysia is a democracy with free and fair elections, and the congressmen want to create that awareness in the US, Plesha was quoted as saying in the report.

Malaysia different

The interest, among US congressmen, to form the caucus heightened after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

Several of them wanted to improve relations between the two countries after discovering that Malaysia, a Muslim country, was collaborating with the US in the fight against terror.

Malaysia is a Muslim country, but different from other Muslim countries, said congressman Meeks aide, Mark Miley.

On strengthening ties, Miley said the caucus could do many things, such as sponsoring of legislation or resolutions, writing letters to other members of congress about issues of interest to group, and trips to Malaysia to enhance understanding of the country.

A caucus is mainly a group of people united to promote a cause. It is not a lobby group nor does it accept funds from a foreign country or foreign nationals, said Bernama .

The Malaysian caucus will be launched by Mahathir following his meeting with US President George W Bush at the White House on May 14.

The premier has been invited to Washington by the American president for a two-day visit beginning May 13. The duo are expected to discuss the crisis in West Asia and bilateral issues.