Malaysia Offers ASEAN Chair’s Good Offices To Help Ease Thai-Cambodian Tensions

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) – Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, stands prepared to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution to the escalating border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which has resulted in casualties and heightened regional concern.

In a statement on Friday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia is following with deep concern the clashes between Thai and Cambodian military forces at the disputed border on Thursday (July 24), which have resulted in casualties.

“We urge both parties to exercise utmost restraint and to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions,” he said.

“Malaysia stands ready to offer the assistance of the good offices of the ASEAN Chair in facilitating an amicable way forward to address the issue that is acceptable to both parties,” he added.

Malaysia currently holds the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, marking the country’s fifth time at the helm of the regional grouping after previous tenures in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

ASEAN comprises 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Mohamad emphasised the importance of resolving the border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and good neighbourliness.

On Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reached out to his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

Anwar appealed directly to both leaders for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further hostilities and to create space for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic resolution.

Thai and Cambodian forces reportedly clashed early Thursday in a disputed area along their shared border, with both sides accusing each other of initiating the latest confrontation.

Tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours have been rising since May 28, following a deadly border clash near the Preah Vihear area that left one Cambodian soldier dead.

On Wednesday, the Thai government downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia in retaliation after a Thai soldier was injured by what the government claimed was a newly planted landmine.

The Cambodian government reciprocated by lowering its diplomatic ties with Thailand to the lowest level on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA