PM Anwar Receives Courtesy Call From Defence Ministers Of Cambodia, Thailand

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today received a courtesy call from Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Tea Seiha, and Thailand’s Acting Minister of Defence, General Nattaphon Narkphanit, at his office in Perdana Putra.

Anwar also convened a closed-door meeting with the two ministers, together with their respective delegations.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.

The meeting, which lasted 30 minutes, discussed, among other things, the ceasefire and the General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting.

Meanwhile, Anwar in his post on Facebook said it was a meaningful meeting that resulted in a key consensus to sustain dialogue and uphold the ceasefire along the Thailand-Cambodia border, in effect since 28 July.

“I appreciate the trust placed in Malaysia to continue facilitating the peace process, particularly through the leadership of the Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.

“Both sides also reached several important agreements, including full adherence to the ceasefire without any form of aggression, no increase or repositioning of troops, avoidance of provocative actions, and a firm commitment to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he posted.

Anwar said they also discussed the proposed deployment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to support monitoring efforts, humanitarian assistance and medical coordination at the border.

“Malaysia will continue to support this process in the belief that lasting peace is only possible through dialogue, mutual respect and genuine friendship,” he added.

Later today, the Thai and Cambodian delegations are scheduled to hold the Extraordinary GBC Meeting at Wisma Perwira Angkatan Tentera Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA