KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia welcomes the commitment and assurances from Thailand and Cambodia to engage in diplomatic efforts to ensure a full and effective implementation of the KL Peace Accord, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said those assurances were aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in the border areas.
“I welcome the commitment of Cambodia and Thailand to ensure the removal of heavy and destructive weapons, as well as to coordinate and implement humanitarian de-mining in border areas in a timely and expeditious manner,” he said on Facebook on Saturday (Nov 15).
Anwar also expressed his appreciation for the proactive role and constructive engagement of United States President Donald Trump in promoting a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation.
“I further welcome the assurances of both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to avoid any further actions that are deemed provocative, and take further action to promote confidence and trust towards advancing the restoration of productive bilateral relations between the two countries,” added Anwar.
Earlier this week, Thailand suspended a US-brokered ceasefire deal and demanded an apology over allegations that Cambodia had laid fresh landmines, which Cambodia denies.
Long-running tensions over a disputed border between the two South-East Asian nations erupted into five days of fighting in July, when at least 48 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 were temporarily displaced, before Trump and Anwar Ibrahim brokered the ceasefire.
“I spoke to the prime ministers of both countries and they’re doing great. I think they’re going to be fine,” Trump told reporters on Friday (Nov 14) evening.
Anwar also revealed that he had spoken with his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, reiterating his stance that the dispute must be resolved peacefully.
On Thursday (Nov 13), Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia is prepared to host talks between Thailand and Cambodia following renewed tensions along their shared border.
On Friday, Thailand said that the landmine explosion would be investigated by Asean observers, after Malaysia’s foreign minister said a regional team had reported that mines found at the site of the incident were new.
