PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Cambodia have agreed to deepen strategic cooperation across several sectors while strengthening efforts to combat cross-border crime, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the areas of cooperation include trade, investment, digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), halal industry, food security and human capital development.
“As Asean member states, Malaysia and Cambodia share a responsibility to preserve regional peace, strengthen unity and advance the Asean Community Vision 2045 towards a more prosperous future for the region,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Anwar said the understanding was reached during a courtesy call by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia.
The visit coincides with the Third Meeting of the Cambodia-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The meeting, to be held today, will review the implementation of the agreed minutes of the second JCBC and previously concluded bilateral agreements.
Sokhonn is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Following the meeting, both ministers are expected to sign the Agreed Minutes of the Third JCBC, reflecting the key outcomes of the discussions and reaffirming Malaysia and Cambodia’s shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Anwar said the JCBC meeting also marks an important milestone ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Cambodia next year.
“It also marks an important milestone ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Cambodia in 2027, reflecting the close friendship and enduring strategic partnership between the two countries,” he said.
Anwar also expressed hope that bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger, creating more opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries and their peoples.
“I hope Malaysia-Cambodia ties will continue to strengthen, creating more opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries and their peoples,” he said.
Malaysia and Cambodia recorded robust trade growth in 2025, with bilateral trade rising 27.4% year-on-year to RM5bil.
As of 2024, Malaysia’s cumulative investments in Cambodia stood at US$3.20bil across 162 registered projects, making Malaysia the kingdom’s third-largest foreign investor.
