KUALA LUMPUR: A sense of jubilation prevailed as the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cam-bodia, alongside Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump, formally signed the landmark “KL Peace Accord”.
The agreement was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
Trump had presided over the signing of the agreement that was also witnessed by Anwar.
In his remarks, Anwar lauded Trump for his efforts in securing the peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, personally calling Hun Manet and Anutin to urge both leaders to accept the peace deal.
“I would like to say a great thank you. We admire your tenacity and courage, because the world needs leaders who promote peace.
“To achieve that, we have to break some rules, as you did when you asked me to join you in the car,” he said, addressing Trump.
Anwar shared his experience of riding in the American leader’s official car, known as “The Beast”, saying that he had a “nice ride” accompanying Trump on his journey to the Kuala Lumpur Con-vention Centre.
“I said that was against security protocols. He was delighted to break the rules.
“It was a nice ride; we shared many things in common. I was in prison and he nearly got there. It was a very good exchange on a number of issues,” said Anwar.
He thanked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan for ensuring that Trump’s visit to Malaysia materialised.
Anwar also commended the US President for his efforts to secure peace around the world, including in Gaza.
In his speech, Trump expressed happiness to have helped settle the Thai-Cambodia conflict and forge a future for the region where “nations can prosper and thrive [with] safety, security and peace.”
He said when fighting broke out between the countries in July, his administration “immediately began working to prevent the conflict from escalating”.
“There were a lot of phone calls between me, Anwar, and the Thai and Cambodian premiers,” he said.
Trump thanked Anwar for his role in what he described as a “historic” agreement between the “courageous” leaders of Thailand and Cambodia.
He also praised Anwar’s efforts that led to a ceasefire that prevented the escalation of the border conflict and ensured the safety of civilians living on both sides of the border.
“The Prime Minister [Anwar] played a very important role in helping to convene the two sides for discussions in Kuala Lumpur.
“I told him that if we got this solved, I would come to your country. I told you the truth, didn’t I?” said Trump.
The KL Peace Accord reinforces the ceasefire understanding reached in July following talks between the two countries.
It also formalises the establishment of an Asean observer team to monitor compliance and prevent renewed clashes in the border zones.
The peace deal marks a milestone in Asean’s regional diplomacy, reflecting the bloc’s commitment to conflict prevention, stability, and cooperation under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship.
Thailand and Cambodia have been in dispute over their 817km border, with tensions flaring into a military confrontation on July 24. On July 28, Anwar hosted a high-stakes meeting in Putrajaya between Hun Manet and then-Thai acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai, successfully defusing tensions along the two countries’ shared border.
The ceasefire, widely seen as a major Asean achievement, prevented a broader military escalation and ensured the safety of thousands of civilians.
