Amid trust deficit at home, PMX gets a bouquet for settling Thai-Cambodia border conflict

Focus Malaysia

5 days ago

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been experiencing a trust deficit in domestic politics with a slew of controversial policies drawing strong criticism from ordinary Malaysians, not least the implementation of an unpopular SST (Sales and Services Tax) expansion.
Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally saw an estimated 18,000 disgruntled Malaysians – detractors claim that the figure should run into hundreds of thousands – took part in a peaceful march to voice their displeasure at PMX's leadership.
However, in his role as a diplomat, in particular the 2025 ASEAN chairman, PMX seems to have scored some brownie points.
Announcing the breakthrough on his Facebook page, PMX said disputing parties Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to a ceasefire from midnight of July 28.
Clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have erupted intermittently since May 28 with a fatal skirmish near the Preah Vihear area triggering renewed tensions. The situation escalated further on July 24, leading to several days of armed conflict.
The ceasefire agreement which took effect at midnight followed a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting between Hun Manet and Phumtham at Anwar's official residence in Putrajaya yesterday (July 28).
It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since tensions escalated along their shared border.
The US co-organised the meeting while China participated as an observer. Also present were US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing.
As ASEAN chair, Malaysia is expected to coordinate the formation of an observer team to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.
As reported in news portal Scoop, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington applauds the ceasefire declaration and is 'grateful to Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the talks'.
He stressed the importance of both parties fully honouring their commitments and confirmed continued US engagement in the Malaysian-led peace process.
Leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia also praised Anwar's role in mediating the ceasefire.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman's post has fetched some 20K likes, 2.3K comments and 2.1K shares at the time of writing with plenty of positive feedback and praises – both from Cambodians and Malaysians alike – highlighting that there are aspects of his leadership that still find favour.
One commenter acknowledged that PMX was far from perfect but his efforts in instigating a ceasefire was to be applauded. He argued that those who criticise the 77-year-old simply did not know the hardships of war.
Others pointed out that the eyes of the world were on Malaysia, keenly observing the mediation process. On this account, PMX seems to have garnered positive feedback in his role as ASEAN chair.
Yes, PMX has done well practising the art of international diplomacy. For his own sake, it is hoped that PMX can display such leadership and decisiveness when dealing with domestic issues. His political survival very much depends on it.
While such high-profile mediations may offer positive headlines, it is domestic affairs that will determine if he is to be given a further mandate by the Malaysian electorate.
In the meantime, the positive media coverage is a welcome respite after the weekend's rally, underlining that in international affairs Malaysia seems to have got the right man for the job. – July 29, 2025