Anwar says Asean unity helped secure Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire

New Straits Times

9 hours ago

CYBERJAYA: A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia was achieved with the full support of all Asean leaders, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In his speech at the 58th Asean Day Celebration, Anwar said he was able to broker the ceasefire with the help of his colleagues and Asean leaders.
"I would like to recognise the support mandated by my friends, the Sultan of Brunei, presidents, prime ministers in Asean, who had continuously given full support and endorsement. This is a remarkable thing.
"I was able to do that with Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and colleagues because of the solidarity, commitment, trust, friendship, and brotherhood of all Asean leaders.
"Every time I spoke to the Prime Minister of Thailand or of Cambodia, I always told them, 'Look, I had this mandate and the support of all my Asean colleagues'.
"Therefore, that gave an added strength to what I had to say. And they naturally had to consider it very seriously.
"And that's why I think the credit goes to Asean, and I think this is a good beginning. It bodes well for the future of Asean in terms of attaining the geopolitical strategy," he said.
Anwar said US President Donald Trump and China were also supporting this effort and recognised the role of the Asean chair and Asean in general.
He added that the US and China had committed to providing logistics, but were leaving it entirely to the bilateral understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, with Malaysia as the moderator.
"And when necessary, all Asean leaders have given their commitment that, if necessary, they will give their own support and do whatever is necessary to ensure that we secure a lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand," he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces Chief, who played a key role.
"It's not just the Prime Minister or foreign minister; it is the army and the relationship, the trust among both our armed forces and Asean leaders that is remarkable.
"And it is because of that level of trust and confidence that we're able to continue, not only to secure an understanding.
"I was told that in the history of ceasefires in the world, in the past many decades, if not centuries, this was probably the first ceasefire that worked fast and effectively," he said.
At the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Thailand and Cambodia yesterday, both sides reached a consensus on five key issues, including a mutual agreement to strictly monitor the ceasefire, covering all forms of attacks and weaponry.
On July 28, a special meeting brokered by Anwar in his capacity as the current Asean chair was held at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the meeting.
This was their first face-to-face meeting since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24.