SEREMBAN: Malaysia is ready to facilitate talks between Thailand and Cambodia to preserve the ceasefire signed by both countries, following renewed tensions along their border.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic) said the talks are expected soon after discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysia, he said, stands prepared to help both parties reach a peaceful solution, Bernama reported.
“If possible, the talks will be held in Malaysia because the two countries have lost confidence and trust in each other.
“They have contacted us. Cambodia has requested that the talks be held in Kuala Lumpur, and Thailand has similarly asked us to continue our efforts to preserve the ceasefire. We regret and are saddened by the situation.
“After the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord was signed by the leaders of both Cambodia and Thailand during the recent 47th Asean Summit, they appeared to be in good spirits. But now there have been hostilities at the border,” he said after handing over Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination kits and laptops to some 1,000 students from institutions of higher learning in the Rembau parliamentary constituency yesterday.
According to Mohamad, Thailand has suspended the ceasefire agreement after several of its army personnel on border patrol were injured by landmines it claims were laid by Cambodia.
“I just got off the phone with the Thai Foreign Minister. My hope is for both sides to remain calm and proceed with the peace talks,” he said.
Mohamad, who is also Rembau MP, said the Asean observer teams are not stationed directly at the border.
However, they continue to monitor and report developments in the area to the relevant parties.
The peace accord was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet on Oct 26 on the sidelines of the summit, witnessed by Anwar in Malaysia’s capacity as Asean Chair and US President Donald Trump.
