Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today received a courtesy call from Vietnam Minister of Public Security Senior Lt Gen To Lam at his office at Perdana Putra here.

The meeting which lasted for about an hour discussed cooperation in curbing violence since Vietnam would be hosting the first meeting of the Joint Working Group in Combating Transnational Crime at a date to be determined.

Malaysia and Vietnam had signed a memorandum of understanding on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime in 2015.

Ahmad Zahid said To Lam stated Vietnam's commitment to extend cooperation to the other ASEAN countries in the overlapping claims in the South China Sea to avert problems.

The Home Minister also informed To Lam that Malaysia will continue to comply with the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, and also on the ASEAN principle of equality.

To Lam, who was appointed to the post in April, is on a visit to ASEAN countries, with Malaysia as the first stop of his tour. His next stop is the Philippines.