PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the ceasefire that has been agreed by Cambodia and Thailand taking effect at noon on Saturday (Dec 27).
On his social media, the Prime Minister said the decision to halt fighting and to hold forces in place reflects a shared recognition that restraint was required, above all in the interest of civilians.
“The joint statement sets out practical and positive measures, including verification by the Asean Observer Team and direct communication between defence authorities. These provide a basis for stability, and I am hopeful that both sides will carry them out faithfully.
“As Malaysia hands over the Asean Chair to the Philippines at midnight on Jan 1, 2026, we will support all efforts to ensure that these undertakings are honoured and that Asean’s prestige and credibility as a region of peace are preserved,” he said on Saturday.
On Dec 22, the Special Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held in Kuala Lumpur, seeking de-escalation.
Following the meeting, the Asean foreign ministers urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to cease all forms of hostilities.
The ministers call on both sides to restore mutual trust, return to dialogue, and work towards a peaceful and durable resolution to the ongoing border situation between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan chaired the meeting in Malaysia’s capacity as Asean Chair.
He said the meeting encouraged the use of bilateral mechanisms and the good offices of the Asean Chair, the revival of cooperation in humanitarian demining, and the implementation of military de-escalation along the shared border under the observation of the Asean Observer Team (AOT).
He added that it also reaffirmed the shared commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international boundaries and of international law, for the promotion of peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region.
It recalled the ceasefire arrangement of July 28, the decisions of the Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting on Aug 7, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on Oct 26, urging both Cambodia and Thailand to fully and effectively implement these commitments.
The latest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours stems from a long-running dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier.
The conflict, which resumed on Dec 8, has killed at least 41 people and displaced almost one million people on both sides of the border.
