Thai-Cambodia Ceasefire: Malaysia Makes Global Headlines, Draws International Praise
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's successful mediation of an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' between Thailand and Cambodia has drawn international praise and put Malaysia in the global spotlight for the right reasons.
The peace deal, brokered in Putrajaya after five days of escalation, was prominently reported by major global media outlets including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), The New York Times, Al Jazeera, and international news wires Reuters, Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Al Jazeera's headline read: 'Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate, unconditional' ceasefire: Malaysia', noting that 'Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim says truce between the Southeast Asian neighbours to begin at 17:00 GMT.'
The BBC similarly reported: 'Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'immediate ceasefire'.'
Despite the involvement of global powers such as the United States (US) and China, Malaysia's role as current ASEAN Chair proved crucial in preventing a broader humanitarian crisis stemming from the century-long border conflict, which had already claimed over 30 lives and displaced more than 300,000 people within just five days.
Anwar's success in bringing both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to the negotiation table has been widely applauded.
Even the US acknowledged Malaysia's leadership.
'We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks,' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the State Department on Monday.
This is not the first time Malaysia has played a significant role in mediating regional conflicts. The country has long earned trust as a neutral peace broker, having previously contributed to peace efforts in Aceh, southern Thailand and the southern Philippines.
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The Sun
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Malaysia pledges ASEAN unity for regional stability and peace
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Malaysiakini
6 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
Anwar and Trump's role in Thai-Cambodia ceasefire
YOURSAY | Anwar's Asean mediation and Trump's tariff pressure. US praises Anwar for mediating Thai-Cambodia ceasefire 'President of peace': Trump says he ended Thai-Cambodia row FellowMalaysian: Asean countries do not appreciate the US meddling in their transboundary disputes or clashes between member countries. It was Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who assisted and managed to defuse the situation after ceasefire talks that were held in Malaysia, as this year's Asean chair. The ceasefire was agreed upon at midnight yesterday, and we hope Thailand and Cambodia abide by the terms they have reached. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement was just to show US President Donald Trump's big muscles. The presence of US officials in Kuala Lumpur during the mediation was seen more as observers, a gratuitous act that no one appreciates. It would probably be seen as meddlesome by the Thais and the Cambodians. So, get out and stay out. Anonymous_3f4b: Actually, it was Trump who forced both sides to the negotiating table, as he threatened to halt tariff negotiations with the two countries if they did not agree to a ceasefire. Malaysia merely played host and facilitator due to logistical convenience and being the chair of Asean for this year. Thailand and Cambodia had no choice but to agree to peace to continue their tariff engagements with the US, which Trump happily said would continue after congratulating them for the ceasefire settlement. Trump further declared that he was the 'president of peace' for forging peace between Thailand and Cambodia. But there was no mention of Anwar by Trump. Pink: So what was Anwar's role in this when he was at the mediation process? Why is Trump claiming credit? This mediation process was supposed to project Anwar as a world leader, but Trump is stealing the limelight. MalaysiaLiberty: If we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we might see that Trump deserves the most credit for helping to bring about the ceasefire. Anwar did play a visible but lesser role in hosting the talks. It is not as if the two warring countries' decision to stop fighting was due to Anwar's counsel, but rather because they want to be in Trump's good books to receive favourable deals on trade, the economy, and so on from the still-powerful US. Koel: The US administration sounds desperate to claim credit for playing 'mediator'. Makes you wonder. Did someone start this skirmish for this purpose? Are they poring through the world map every day to find any skirmish to be packaged as 'war' so they can muscle in for some pretend action? After all, the current White House resident is said to be desperate for a Nobel Prize. So what better way than to wait for an opportunity for a border skirmish between comparatively tiny, faraway nations? And then, this wannabe is all over the media, yapping away from Scotland about peace. What a pathetic and incredible source of international mirth. MarioT: While we are happy to note Anwar's successful mediation in the dispute, our home front needs tidying up too. The crutches and extra assistance given to the major race must be reviewed for a more equitable distribution of wealth to all races. This racist policy has resulted in unimaginable looting of our money by those entrusted to safeguard our interests. Your reformation policies must include fairness to all. The checks and balances must not tilt too far to one side at the expense of the other. All citizens of this country deserve fair treatment. WhiteLlama4337: Wah Anwar - successfully mediating peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar - could you also mediate the dispute between farmers and Perak state authorities, especially in your own constituency of Tambun? You know, the eviction of farmers from land they have farmed for decades, by claiming that it was actually state land all the while. The farmers there are growing food that Malaysians need. How come this issue doesn't get your attention, huh? TaaS: Nice circus. Anwar is there to take photos, make himself look good and take credit. Typical of this chameleon. What did he really do to stop the skirmish? Malaysia knows all too well that Anwar can't even solve simple issues in his own backyard. Sherlock: Good job, Anwar, proud of you. You have put Malaysia in a very favourable position on the world stage. Now, Trump will revise the tariff lower, making it easier for Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to negotiate. Good. Growing Old Lonely: Charity starts at home. Please settle all the conflicts and inequalities in Malaysia first. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Free Malaysia Today
7 minutes ago
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PAS's political satire risks alienating fence-sitters, non-Muslims, says analyst
An analyst said PAS must keep its members from making statements that could damage the party's public image. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An analyst warns that the jab by a PAS leader at Malaysia's role in brokering peace between Thailand and Cambodia in a cartoon subsequently removed from social media may hurt Perikatan Nasional's chances of courting fence-sitters. The cartoon, shared by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, depicted a monkey acting as a judge between a goat and a sheep fighting over bananas, with the caption: 'The goat and sheep shouldn't need a monkey to mediate their banana dispute.' Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the post was unbecoming of an MP expected to possess diplomatic sensitivity. 'His actions could push away fence-sitters and non-Malay voters in the next general election, as such sarcastic remarks should not have been said by the PAS leader. 'Instead of mocking, the Pasir Mas MP should have commended the prime minister for how two Asean countries at conflict turned to Malaysia for mediation. Not every leader is entrusted with such a responsibility. 'When you make a dig like this, it erodes public respect (for the opposition), and this won't translate into votes,' Mazlan told FMT. Several Pakatan Harapan MPs lodged police reports over the posting at the Dang Wangi police headquarters. Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan and PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim also demanded that Fadhli apologise to the people of Cambodia and Thailand. Fadhli, however, told FMT he had no intention of apologising and would leave the matter to the police. A ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand took effect at midnight on Monday, ending five days of intense border fighting that left at least 38 people dead and displaced more than 300,000. The agreement was reached after peace talks in Putrajaya where Malaysia, as Asean chair, hosted both parties with support from the US and China. Mazlan urged PAS to keep its leaders from making statements that could affect the party's image. 'The people won't respect leaders like this. I've seen several PAS figures who often make self-damaging remarks,' he said. Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the cartoon reflected a shallow understanding of serious regional issues. 'It's obvious that the person who made the post (Fadhli) doesn't understand the issue Malaysia is trying to resolve. He hasn't done his homework,' he said.
