Malaysia's Experience As Mediator Brought Thailand, Cambodia To Negotiating Table

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Besides being ASEAN Chair, Malaysia’s experience as a mediating country for geopolitical conflicts in Southeast Asia was a factor in Thailand and Cambodia agreeing to attend a special meeting on the recent border conflict between both countries.

Geostrategy expert Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said Malaysia previously acted as a mediator for conflicts in the region, including in Aceh, southern Thailand and the southern Philippines, adding that regional parties or countries faced with conflict trust Malaysia as they have confidence and believe in its neutral approach. 

“That’s what’s called Malaysia’s leverage, its neutral aura that doesn’t side either Thailand or Cambodia in this issue. So we see it’s an important criteria,” he said when interviewed by Bernama TV for the Buletin Bernama programme today.

He pointed out that the special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today also is historic as it was the first time an ASEAN Chair directly sought a solution to the long-running Thailand-Cambodia conflict.

He also praised the prime minister’s move to invite two major powers, the United States and China, to be present at the meeting, describing it as a wise strategy to encourage Thailand and Cambodia to come to the negotiating table.

“Malaysia knows that these major powers, the United States and China, have huge influence on leaders of both those countries. So, that’s what is called the strategic perspective of the ASEAN Chair of not wanting to sideline major powers.

“Sometimes major powers are needed and sometimes they are prevented from interfering in ASEAN’s internal affairs, but this time, the major powers can be said to be needed,” Azmi said.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire that will take effect at midnight tonight during a special meeting chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya today to ease tensions that flared recently in a disputed border area of both countries.

-- BERNAMA