01-08-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire: Malaysia proposes Asean monitoring team
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed the establishment of a monitoring team comprising at least 33 military personnel from Asean countries, subject to the mutual agreement of Thailand and Cambodia.
Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said the proposed team would be stationed at two locations each in Thailand and Cambodia, with seven personnel deployed to each of the four sites and five assigned to the monitoring team's headquarters.
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on July 28 following talks mediated by Malaysia.
Nizam said the establishment was among the proposals discussed by the official Malaysian delegation to Thailand and Cambodia, which he led, in order to continue monitoring and ensure that the ceasefire between the two countries is effectively implemented.
Malaysia also proposed establishing an interim monitoring team, led by the Malaysian defence advisers in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, also involving defence advisers from other Asean member countries, he said.
"The proposal to establish the monitoring team has been submitted to both parties, and we are awaiting their response.
"In this regard, other Asean countries will also play an active role, and the matter will be coordinated by Wisma Putra," he told Berita Harian today.
The border tension between Thailand and Cambodia erupted with a shooting incident on May 28, which later escalated into an armed conflict.
Cambodia and Thailand have expressed their utmost gratitude to Malaysia for its firmness in playing a role in ensuring the implementation of an immediate ceasefire between the two conflicting countries.
Nizam also said that the pre-General Border Committee (GBC) meeting involving Thailand and Cambodia will be held on Aug 4, followed by another meeting the next day with the Asean defence advisers as observers. Both meetings will take place in Kuala Lumpur.
"During the previous meeting, I emphasised three main points: the ceasefire must be immediate, there should be no increase in military presence, and the focus should be on medical assistance as part of the monitoring mission's preparation.
"Malaysia will remain committed to playing its role as a neutral mediator in supporting the implementation of the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia," he said.
