PUTRAJAYA: Asean foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 22 in a bid to ease tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said both the Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to attend the meeting, adding that the collective views of Asean foreign ministers would play a crucial role in persuading both parties to de-escalate the situation.
“We are appealing to them to immediately stop these frontline offensives and if possible immediate ceasefire.
“They don’t like the term ceasefire because it would connote their agreement. So, if you look at my statement, I said, “I urge the parties to observe this truce”,” he said.
Anwar said this during a dinner with senior editors of local and international media organisations at his official residence here today.
Present were Media Prima deputy group managing editor and New Straits Times group editor Farrah Naz Karim, Berita Harian group editor Zulkifli Jalil and Media Prima Television Networks, News and Current Affairs group editor Azhari Muhidin.
Anwar said Malaysia is not in a position to issue instructions to foreign ministers, but said Asean leaders and ministers are in frequent contact as engagement continues at multiple levels.
Anwar said he is also not in a position to blame any party and reiterated that his consistent aim is to maintain peace, starting with the cessation of hostilities.
He added that the decision to convene the meeting followed consultations with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and updates from United States President Donald Trump, who contacted him on the matter.
“President Trump called and then updated me and I told President Trump that it is important to convince them to then stop the offensive,” he said.
Anwar said both prime ministers had earlier cautioned against holding talks too soon if tensions on the ground were not eased, but both countries have now agreed to attend the Dec 22 meeting initiated by Malaysia and Asean.
“Among warring factions, it is always difficult to get people to come and sit and talk.
“Here, because it is initiated by Malaysia and Asean, they have agreed to attend on the 22nd,” he said.
Anwar said both Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to the Asean Observers Team, and that Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Force would be heading to the border in the next few days to continue engagement.
He said Malaysia’s engagement would continue at multiple levels, including communications between leaders, foreign ministers and the respective chiefs of armed forces.
“I am cautiously optimistic because when I speak to both the prime ministers, both are keen to achieve an amicable resolution as soon as possible.
“Hopefully by the 22nd we can seal this understanding but this is for Thailand and Cambodia to agree,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
