NAIROBI: Thailand has reassured Malaysia that accusations of interference concerning its border issues with Cambodia are unfounded, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he received a call from Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday (Nov 24) reaffirming Malaysia’s role in facilitating talks between the two neighbouring countries.
“Since he knows the facts, Anutin thought the criticisms were unfair. He said as far as he is concerned, (Malaysia’s) role is to facilitate talks,” he said to reporters at the end of his visit to Kenya.
The Prime Minister arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday (Nov 25).
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 also demanded that Anwar refrain from pressuring Thailand to negotiate with Cambodia over disputed border areas.
Anwar said it was appalling that some groups in Malaysia were excited to see the country being criticised and accused.
“Instead of supporting and welcoming Malaysia’s role, they want the country to fail,” he added.
He said critics were of the assumption that this was one individual’s role, when in fact many parties were involved in facilitating talks between Thailand and Cambodia.
“It is not a matter of (just) Anwar. The Foreign and Defence Ministries are involved, as well as the Chief of Armed Forces.
“It is their work and preparations on the part of Malaysia that made things easier to facilitate,” he added.
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.
