Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is going on a three-day visit to the United States, beginning tomorrow, a controversial trip because it comes as the US Justice Department continues a probe into the 1MDB scandal.

The Trump administration counts Malaysia as an important partner as it grapples with Islamic militancy, North Korea’s nuclear adventurism and China’s growing influence.

“Najib is the one desperate for the visit, not Trump. But from a US foreign policy perspective, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), North Korea and China are clearly on Trump’s mind and Malaysia is important if not crucial on such matters,” S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ senior fellow Johan Saravanamuttu told The Straits Times.