JOHANNESBURG: Rejecting accusations of meddling in Thailand’s border dispute with Cambodia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia remains committed to helping the two countries achieve a peaceful resolution.
On the contrary, he said Malaysia must remain committed to its initial position on what is happening along the Thai-Cambodian border.
“I believe both governments have already clarified Malaysia’s stance to their people. I don’t think these calls and statements should deter us from our task and objective, which is to ensure peace,” he said.
Anwar stressed that it is incorrect for some quarters in Thailand to suggest that he or Malaysia is interfering in their affairs.
“We do not interfere. From the start, I have explained clearly that Malaysia’s role is to facilitate their discussions,” he told the Malaysian media at the end of his working visit to South Africa, which included attending the G20 Summit.
When asked if the matter would be raised during Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit to Malaysia on Nov 26, Anwar said he expected the subject to come up.
He emphasised that both Thailand and Cambodia have the legitimacy and competence to resolve their issues, while Malaysia’s role is strictly limited to facilitating meetings at times and under parameters agreed upon by the two countries.
“Our interest is merely to help our friends. Malaysia has close relations with both Thailand and Cambodia.
“Furthermore, our facilitation is supported by all Asean leaders. We want to help because we want to ensure there is peace,” he added.
According to reports, protesters had gathered in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Anwar stop what they called “interference” in Thailand’s handling of the border dispute with Cambodia.
The demonstrators demanded that Malaysia refrain from pressuring Thailand to negotiate with Cambodia over the disputed areas.
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 serving as witnesses.
Anwar is currently in Nairobi, Kenya, for a two-day visit.
