KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recognises that the post-accord landscape between Thailand and Cambodia remains highly challenging.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Malaysia would continue to play an active role as facilitator following the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord.
He said Malaysia remained in close and continuous communication with the military leadership of both nations to ensure all parties uphold the ceasefire and avoid any slide back into confrontation.
“The situation is undoubtedly complex. It is not easy,” he told reporters at Kem Kementah today.
Khaled said Malaysia would persist in its role as facilitator, maintaining regular engagements between the Malaysian Armed Forces and their counterparts to ensure the ceasefire arrangements are respected.
“This forms part of our ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and minimise conflict,” he added.
He also confirmed that the Asean Observer Team remained deployed on the ground as part of the regional mechanism to monitor compliance and provide impartial reporting.
On Oct 26, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump.
Thailand and Cambodia are expected to begin implementing the accord, which — once fully enforced — aims to lay the groundwork for lasting peace and the restoration of bilateral ties.
During the signing, Anutin said that Thailand would initiate the process of releasing 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Hun Manet, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Trump for his decisive leadership and commitment to securing peace, and extended his appreciation to Anwar for his steadfast support and facilitation throughout the peace process.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
