Mediation efforts based on mutually agreed framework, says PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the framework sees Malaysia acting as the chair, host and observer in the ongoing peace talks, following consent from both sides.
"The mechanism decided Malaysia as chair, host and witness. Both Cambodia and Thailand agreed to this," he said during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau), who asked whether the government planned to use the Asean Forum to defend member states from external interference.
Anwar added that he had contacted all Asean leaders to secure their mandate and support, and had been updating them on developments. He stressed that Malaysia's role was aimed at safeguarding Asean unity and cooperation.
"I wouldn't want to overstate any success. The situation remains sensitive and tense, with accusations still being exchanged.
"But what is encouraging is that whenever tensions arise, they are immediately referred — either to the foreign minister, to me, or now also to the Armed Forces chief. This has placed Malaysia and Asean in a position of priority," he said.
Anwar also said that any formal framework for resolving the border dispute through the Asean Regional Forum or Security Initiative was still too early to determine at this stage.
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