THE United States has publicly praised Malaysia's leadership in spearheading ASEAN's peacekeeping efforts along the Thailand-Cambodia border, highlighting the mission as a model of regional responsibility and a demonstration of Southeast Asia's ability to address security challenges through cooperation and diplomacy.
Speaking at the 23rd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth singled out Malaysia and ASEAN for their rapid deployment of an observer mission aimed at supporting stability and reducing tensions following the historic peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.
The commendation marks a significant endorsement of ASEAN's growing role in regional security affairs and reflects Washington's support for greater burden-sharing among its partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Hegseth said the deployment of ASEAN observers demonstrated the region's commitment to preserving peace through practical and collective action rather than relying solely on external intervention.
"Countries in this region are stepping up to preserve peace, reduce tensions and support diplomacy with credible capabilities.
"I commend Malaysia and ASEAN for their efforts in supporting President Donald Trump's historic peace agreement," Bernama reported him saying during a session on United States security strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
The observer mission was launched following the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement in October 2025, a landmark accord between Thailand and Cambodia that brought an end to a period of heightened tensions along their shared border.
The agreement was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony was witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN Chair.
Hegseth said the observer deployment underscored ASEAN's ability to act decisively in support of peace and conflict prevention, while demonstrating that regional institutions are becoming increasingly capable of managing security challenges independently.
Beyond the Thailand-Cambodia peace process, the US defence chief highlighted what he described as a broader trend of Southeast Asian nations strengthening their military capabilities and deepening security cooperation with Washington.
He pointed to Singapore's sustained defence investments and its role as a critical logistics hub supporting US military operations and rotational deployments across the region.
"Singapore consistently exceeds expectations through substantial investment in its military and serves as a vital hub for US logistics activities and rotational deployments.
"Indonesia is also making major strides in modernising its armed forces and expanding the scale of military exercises with the United States, strengthening interoperability and reinforcing regional stability.
"Thailand continues to deepen military cooperation with the United States to enhance interoperability and develop the readiness required. We are also seeing the same seriousness of purpose from Vietnam," he added.
The remarks reflect Washington's continued focus on strengthening defence partnerships across Southeast Asia as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, while also recognising ASEAN's expanding contribution to regional peace, stability and conflict management.
For Malaysia, the endorsement represents international recognition of its increasingly prominent diplomatic role within ASEAN, particularly as the bloc seeks to demonstrate greater unity and effectiveness in addressing regional security issues through dialogue, mediation and collective action. - May 30, 2026
