Latest news with #ExtraordinaryGeneralBorderCommittee
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
US praises Malaysia's Asean chair role in Thai-Cambodia ceasefire talks
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States has described Malaysia's role as Asean chair as vital in helping ease tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan said Malaysia's leadership was evident in the successful hosting of today's Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting, which brought the concerned parties together. "This is yet another example of the important role played by Malaysia as Asean chair in facilitating engagement between both sides. "All parties deeply appreciate Malaysia's leadership, including the direct involvement of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the highest level, and the tireless efforts of Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. "The Malaysian military worked closely with their Thai and Cambodian counterparts to reach this agreement," he told reporters after the meeting at Wisma Perwira today. Kagan also gave assurance that the US would continue working closely with Malaysia in its role as Asean chair, as well as with other member states, to ensure the regional bloc plays an effective role in uniting the two countries. He said that while the ceasefire agreement marked a significant milestone, it was only the beginning of a longer process. "The ultimate goal is to reach a sustainable and lasting ceasefire, accepted and enforced by both sides. "The mechanism currently in place is crucial in ensuring that the monitoring process is smooth, transparent and effective. "More importantly, we believe what has happened reflects a genuine commitment from both governments, and the US will closely monitor this to ensure that commitment is sustained," he said. Kagan added that President Donald Trump placed the highest priority on the Thai-Cambodian conflict, believing that any form of war or confrontation would benefit no party. Malaysia, the US, and China were observers at today's Extraordinary GBC Meeting.
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Cambodia and Thailand agree to ASEAN observers to ensure ceasefire holds
Thai delegates led by Deputy Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian delegates led by Defence Minister General Tea Seiha, joined by Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, pose for a group photo ahead of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) to discuss their border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur August 7, 2025. REUTERS/ Hasnoor Hussain/ Pool KUALA LUMPUR — Cambodia and Thailand's top defense officials agreed on Thursday to allow observers from the ASEAN regional bloc to inspect disputed border areas and help ensure hostilities do not resume following a violent five-day conflict that ended in a ceasefire late in July. The Southeast Asian neighbors saw the worst fighting in over a decade last month, including exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter bombing runs that claimed at least 43 lives and displaced more than 300,000 people on both sides of the border. Fighting continued despite diplomatic interventions from China and Malaysia, chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, both calling for restraint. The leaders of Cambodia and Thailand only came to the negotiating table when US President Donald Trump told them that tariff negotiations would not continue unless there was peace, Reuters exclusively reported. Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's acting defense minister Nattaphon Narkphanit met at Malaysia's Armed Forces headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to thrash out the terms of a permanent cessation of hostilities. "There will be an observation team of ASEAN military attaches based in Thailand and Cambodia, led by Malaysia," Nattaphon told reporters at a press conference after the meeting, adding that foreign inspectors based in either country would not cross the border. "Thailand and Cambodia are neighbors with a shared border that can move away from each other ... a resolution will allow our people to return to peaceful lives," he said. Thailand and Cambodia said in a joint statement that they would hold more talks in two weeks and then again in a month. The peace conditions were formulated during three days of talks between senior officials in Kuala Lumpur and were finalized on the fourth day in the presence of observers from China and the United States. "Both sides agreed on the terms of implementation of the ceasefire and improving communication between the two armies," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on social media. Thailand and Cambodia have quarreled for decades over undemarcated parts of their 817 km (508 miles) land border, which was first mapped by France in 1907 when the latter was its colony. — Reuters
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Thailand, Cambodia reaffirm border ceasefire, pledge no troop build up, provocation
Saifuddin (centre) with Tea (fifth left) and Nattaphon (seventh right) in a photocall with delegations from both countries in conjunction with the meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 7): Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to strictly observe a ceasefire along their shared border, with both sides maintaining current troop positions while also refraining from any further reinforcements. According to the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting issued after the Extraordinary GBC Meeting here today, both sides must avoid unprovoked firing towards the other side's positions or troops, which may escalate tensions. 'During the meeting, the two neighbouring countries also agreed to a ceasefire involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians and civilian objects and military objectives of either side. 'Thailand and Cambodia also agree to refrain from constructing or enhancing any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own side, also not to use any kind of forces against civilians and civilian objects in all circumstances,' according to the agreed minutes. The Extraordinary GBC Meeting held at Wisma Perwira here today was co-chaired by Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha, and Thailand's Acting Minister of Defence General Nattaphon Narkphanit. Also present during the meeting as observers were Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, as well as United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan and Ambassador of China to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing. The agreed minutes also emphasised that both sides reached a consensus to comply with international humanitarian law in the treatment of captured soldiers, including their living conditions, shelter, food, and medical care in case of injury. 'Captured soldiers shall be immediately released and repatriated after the cessation of active hostilities in accordance with Article 118 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 and Rule 128 (A) of the Customary International Humanitarian Law,' it stated. It also noted that, in the event of an armed conflict, whether intentional or unintentional, both sides must promptly consult at the local level through existing bilateral mechanisms to prevent the situation from escalating along the entire border. As such, the two countries also agreed to maintain regular communications between all army areas and military regions and units along the border of both sides and strive to solve all issues peacefully and avoid clashes, the agreed minutes read. The agreed minutes also mentioned the convening of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting, scheduled to be held within two weeks of today's meeting, with the host to be determined based on the regular rotation system. It also emphasised the need for regular and direct lines of communication at ministerial and Chiefs of Defence Forces level. Meanwhile, in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue, both sides also agreed to refrain from disseminating false information or fake news. Both sides agreed to schedule the next GBC Meeting within a month after today, with a venue to be decided later. 'Otherwise, another Extraordinary GBC Meeting should be called immediately with the same format as this Extraordinary GBC Meeting to discuss the ceasefire,' according to the agreed minutes. – Bernama Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary GBC Meeting cambodia GBC Thailand
The Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean leaders want Malaysia to continue as mediator in Thailand-Cambodia conflict
KUALA LUMPUR: All Asean member state leaders have agreed that Malaysia should continue playing the role of mediator to resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had contacted all Asean leaders earlier on Thursday (Aug 7) morning before receiving a courtesy call from the Thai and Cambodian delegations in Kuala Lumpur for the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting at the Armed Forces' Wisma Perwira. Saifuddin Nasution said all Asean leaders or heads of state contacted expressed their support for Malaysia's role in mediating the conflict between the two neighbouring Asean countries. "All agreed that the current bilateral mechanism is sufficient for now, while also agreeing that there will be another round of discussions after today's meeting," he told a press conference after the meeting. Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Leaders Want Malaysia To Continue As Mediator In Thailand-Cambodia Conflict
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- All ASEAN member state leaders have agreed that Malaysia should continue playing the role of mediator in resolving the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier this morning contacted all ASEAN leaders before receiving a courtesy call from the Thai and Cambodian delegations in Kuala Lumpur for the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting at the Malaysian Armed Forces' Wisma Perwira. Saifuddin Nasution said all the ASEAN leaders or heads of state contacted expressed their support for Malaysia's role in mediating the conflict between the two neighbouring ASEAN countries. 'All agreed that the current bilateral mechanism is sufficient for now, while also agreeing that there will be another round of discussions after today's meeting,' he told a press conference after the meeting. Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. Saifuddin Nasution said Malaysia appreciates the determination and willingness shown by the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in seeking a resolution to their conflict. "In today's meeting, the heads and members of the delegations from both countries truly upheld the principles long practised at the ASEAN level, namely consultation and dialogue based on trust and mutual respect," he said. He said the meeting reflects the shared understanding that a ceasefire is not merely a pause, but a promise to protect lives, to uphold dignity and to prevent further suffering. "That promise must be honoured through our commitment, effective monitoring and sincere political will from both sides. We are proud to see that both sides have given this commitment throughout the meetings in the last few days.
