JOHANNESBURG: Malaysia has rejected accusations of interfering in Thailand’s border issues with Cambodia and maintains its stance that its role is to facilitate talks between the two countries.
“It is not right for some quarters in Thailand to suggest that we interfere. No way do we interfere.
“Even from the start, I have explained and made it clear that Malaysia’s role is to facilitate their discussions,” said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister stressed that both Thailand and Cambodia have legitimate interests and competence to resolve their problems, reiterating that Malaysia’s role in this is only to facilitate the meetings at which time and parameters were decided by the two countries.
“Our interest is merely to help our friends. Malaysia has close relations with Thailand and Cambodia.
“Furthermore, our position (to facilitate) is supported by all Asean leaders. We want to facilitate because we want to ensure there is peace,” told the Malaysian media on Saturday night (Nov 22) at the end of his working visit to South Africa, including attending the G20 summit.
According to reports, protesters had gathered in front of the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok on Saturday to demand that Anwar stop his “interference” in Thailand’s handling of its border dispute with Cambodia.
The protesters had demanded thatAnwar refrain from pressuring Thailand to negotiate with Cambodia over disputed border areas.
Asked if the subject will be discussed when Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visits Malaysia on Nov 26, Anwar said he believes the subject will be raised.
On whether demands for Malaysia to stop interfering would result in a pullback in voicing the issue, the Prime Minister said: “On the contrary, we must remain committed to our initial position on what is happening there (along the Thai-Cambodian border).
“I believe both governments have already clarified to their people about Malaysia’s position. I don’t think these calls and statements should deter us from our task,” he said.
On Oct 26, Anutin and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet signed a peace deal, known as the “KL Peace Accord,” on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit, with Anwar and United States President Donald Trump as witnesses.
