SUBANG JAYA: More should be done to improve Malaysia ranking in US State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (or TIP) Report, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said cooperation between the police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was important to curb not only transnational crime but violent extremism and terrorism as well.

"Such matters have been dealt with successfully by the police, so much so that we are on the Tier-2 Watch List of TIP.

"However, we have to do more to reach Tier-1, which enables Malaysians to not have to apply for a visa to visit the US," he told a press conference after launching the FBINAA Asia Pacific Retaining conference on Monday (June 26).

In the past, the government had worked to reach Tier-1 but due to change of governments previously, the goal was not reached, he said.

"I am confident the police under the leadership of Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and the current government will work together to reach that goal," he said.