Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, stated, "Malaysia is providing satellite surveillance support. There's an agreement that this process will be coordinated by Malaysia's defense attache. Our defense attache, along with those from other ASEAN nations, is currently conducting remote monitoring,".
Anwar expressed Malaysia's willingness to dispatch a monitoring team to the Thai-Cambodia border if requested. However, he noted that the necessity of a third-party military presence on the ground hinges on the results of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting taking place in Malaysia this week.
"The situation remains under control, although it's tense and delicate," Anwar commented.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Malaysian parliament building on 5/8. Photo: Bernama |
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Malaysian parliament building on 5/8. Photo: Bernama
Thai and Cambodian delegations arrived in Malaysia on 4/8 to prepare for the JBC meeting. A ministerial-level meeting is scheduled for 7/8, marking 10 days since the ceasefire agreement took effect. Representatives from Malaysia, the US, and China will continue as observers, as they were during the ceasefire negotiations on 28/7.
Anwar revealed that both Thailand and Cambodia have requested Malaysia to continue mediating until a resolution to the border dispute is reached, even after Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN chairmanship concludes.
"Initially, we aimed for a resolution within three months. However, as with all negotiations, we must be prepared for the possibility that progress won't meet expectations. The important thing is that the parties are moving forward, through the ceasefire and their commitment to finding a solution," he explained.
The Malaysian prime minister emphasized the importance of maintaining ASEAN's central role in the process, preventing external influence. He suggested that any future proposals for monitoring or peacekeeping forces at the Thai-Cambodia border should involve only ASEAN members.
Anwar stated, "We want to avoid direct involvement from major powers. ASEAN needs to take the lead in the negotiation process,". He added that he supports logistical assistance from the US and China, provided they remain neutral.
Thanh Danh (Malay Mail, Fresh News, Channel NewsAsia)
