PUTRAJAYA: A special meeting between the leaders of Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia officially began at 3.15pm on Monday (July 28) at Kompleks Seri Perdana.
The meeting is aimed at de-escalating border tensions between the two Asean neighbours.
Chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as Asean chair, the closed-door session is attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Malaysia is hosting the meeting as both facilitator and official witness, following requests from Bangkok and Phnom Penh for mediation.
The talks are being held amid heightened concerns over recent military activity along the Thai-Cambodian border.
US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan as also in attendance, with United States serving as co-organiser, as well as Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, who was there as an observer for the peace talks.
Both Washington and Beijing have urged restraint and encouraged a diplomatic solution to the growing tensions.
A live broadcast of a joint press conference is expected later this evening, where the three leaders are likely to announce the outcomes of the meeting.
Anwar had earlier said that both Thailand and Cambodia had approached Malaysia to mediate the talks, with an immediate ceasefire being the foremost agenda item. He said the discussion between the two leaders came about after US President Donald Trump urged them to find a solution to the crisis.
He also mentioned that a team from Malaysia and possibly some from neighbouring countries are set to monitor the discussion to ensure it is executed well.
"So, within our means, we try our best. We are given that confidence and respect, and they are of course our close friends, our neighbours, and we work together,” said Anwar.
