KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has held further talks on the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he held discussions with his Thai and Cambodian counterparts over the simmering border conflict, highlighting the importance of peace and regional cooperation to prevent further escalation.
“I have discussed with Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet on this matter,” Anwar said when asked if Malaysia will step in to help resolve the border conflict.
He, however, did not divulge details.
On Thursday, Anwar was reported to have held discussions with Anutin and Hun Manet on the latest episode along the Thai-Cambodia border.
Tenions between Thailand and Cambodia have been escalating since May 28, following a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.
The two countries have been at odds for decades regarding various points along their 817km-long border.
On Thursday, media reports cited Hun Manet accusing Thai troops of preventing more than 20 families from returning to their homes in a disputed border area.
Thai military spokesman Winthai Suvaree claimed that the Cambodian villagers involved in the violence a day earlier had deliberately sparked the unrest and were illegally occupying Thai territory.
Since July, Malaysia has played a central role in brokering a ceasefire between the two countries.
