THE Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting taking place today is expected to provide a critical opportunity for Cambodia and Thailand to engage directly in efforts to reduce escalating tensions between the two neighbours, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said.
Anwar described the meeting as an important platform for open and constructive engagement, allowing both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution to their differences through direct negotiations.
“The Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will serve as an appropriate and constructive platform for the two countries to engage in open negotiations and work towards a just and lasting solution,” he said.
The Prime Minister underlined the urgency of easing tensions to preserve peace and stability within the Asean region, warning that prolonged friction could undermine broader regional security.
“I have been in contact with the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand to exchange views and discuss the best way forward to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.
“It is important for both countries to uphold the spirit of dialogue, wisdom and mutual respect to bring an end to the tensions,” he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar added that sustained engagement and clear, constructive communication remain essential to safeguarding regional security and maintaining Asean unity at a time of heightened uncertainty.
In a separate statement, Wisma Putra said the special meeting of Asean Foreign Ministers was convened as a follow-up to the understanding reached on Dec 11 between Anwar and the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. As Malaysia is the current Asean Chair, the meeting will be chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Cambodia and Thailand have been embroiled in renewed border skirmishes despite having signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord in October. The agreement was suspended by Thailand last month after several of its soldiers were injured by landmines near the border.
Malaysia had previously urged both countries to cease all forms of hostilities and to refrain from further military action, including the deployment of armed troops to forward positions, beginning at 10pm on Dec 13.
Anwar said this appeal was conveyed through separate telephone conversations with Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, following his discussion with US President Donald Trump.
Under the peace accord, both Thailand and Cambodia committed to ending hostilities and strengthening good neighbourly relations. However, tensions have periodically resurfaced along their shared 817km border, an area that has long been the subject of overlapping claims and intermittent disputes. - December 22, 2025
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