Pathway for Peace

IS it a peace deal or a ceasefire deal?

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said it best.

"Pathway for peace," was Sihasak's reply when asked whether the joint declaration signed by feuding neighbours Thailand and Cambodia prime ministers in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday is a peace deal or ceasefire.

President Donald J. Trump, who witnessed the signing ceremony together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, kept on using the term peace deal. He is showing to the world he is a leader who initiated peace agreements around the world. It is no secret he is eyeing the Nobel Peace Prize.

At Sunday's signing ceremony, Trump said he has ended eight wars since returning to the White House. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in his remarks voiced Cambodia's support for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan consistently described it as a ceasefire deal, expressing Asean's hope the ceasefire would hold, and calling on both countries to continue dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of their border demarcation issue.

The document signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia's Hun Manet is called a Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Officials called it the KL Peace Accord.

Even the backdrop for the signing ceremony was blaring "Delivering Peace: Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal".

Ceasefire or peace deal, what is important is what happens after the signing of the deal.

"I think it is semantics. A ceasefire is a ceasefire, but the elements in the ceasefire pave the way towards restoring and sustaining peace.

"What took place in Putrajaya in July is quite fragile. The presence of Trump to witness the signing of the joint declaration makes the deal stronger, and that is why it is called a peace accord," said an official.

Malaysia played a central role in brokering peace in a meeting in Putrajaya in July with the US as co-organiser and China also participating.

An official said the joint accord opens the door to normalisation of ties.

"Today peace, tomorrow may be skirmishes but do not tantamount to serious conflict. What they want to see is the normalisation of ties; in terms of getting peace, it is back to the status quo.

"That is the essence of the KL Peace Accord.

"They were once good neighbours, but their border dispute is affecting the economy; tourists do not feel safe," said an official.

The White House said Trump brokered the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Thailand and Cambodia, a historic peace declaration to end tensions between the two countries.

The joint declaration, among others, saw both sides agreeing to the Terms of Reference on the establishment of the Asean Observer Team to ensure full and effective implementation of the ceasefire. They also agreed to refrain from disseminating or promoting false information, accusations, allegations and harmful rhetoric, whether through official government channels or unofficial platforms, in order to de-escalate tensions and mitigate negative public sentiment. Both countries will also begin removing heavy weapons from their border areas.

Anutin said Thailand will begin the process of releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers taken as prisoners of war in response to Hun Manet's request for the prompt release of the soldiers.

A diplomat said neighbouring countries would have disputes and at the end of the day how the issues are managed matters.

"The promise to remove the weapons or release the prisoners are all part of a goodwill act. It may look like simple steps, but it really matters, especially the sensitive ones," he said.

He said credit will have to be given to Trump for making it happen.

"Of course, everybody has interest. (It's) up to whose interpretation. He really makes the deal and without him, I don't think it would happen, bearing in mind that he holds the cards.

"He was making phone calls to the leaders. Malaysia was also making phone calls. Trump was active in communicating with all the leaders, including Malaysia," said the diplomat.

Trump in his remarks yesterday thanked Anwar, praising his efforts that led to the ceasefire, preventing the escalation of the border conflict and saving civilian lives.

Just as he was leaving Malaysia for Japan, Trump, in his Truth Social media platform, said: "Just leaving Malaysia, a great and very vibrant Country. Signed major Trade and Rare Earth Deals, and yesterday, most importantly signed the Peace Treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WAR! Millions of lives saved. Such an honor to have gotten this done."

So, let us pray peace will prevail!