How Malaysia as Asean Chair restore peace in Thai-Cambodia conflict

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proactive and responsive leadership following the recent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is commendable.

The Prime Minister’s immediate diplomatic outreach, through personal phone calls to Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand, has resulted in a positive and crucial breakthrough when both leaders responded positively to temporary ceasefire.

This outcome stands as a clear and timely demonstration of Malaysia’s commitment to Asean’s founding principles of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect. It affirms the importance of strong leadership within the Asean framework and the ability of member states to resolve disputes amicably and without external interference.

While this ceasefire is a commendable step forward, the situation underscores the importance of Asean’s readiness to act collectively in preventing escalation, protecting civilian lives, and ensuring long-term stability in the region.

Continued instability and military confrontation will not only undermine the safety of border communities but it will also disrupt trade, mobility, and economic activity across borders. This will pose significant risks to Asean's economic development and could negatively impact investor confidence.

As Chair of Asean 2025, the Malaysian Government may consider taking several immediate and concrete steps aligned with Asean norms and mechanisms, as follows:

1. Convene an Emergency Asean Leaders’ or Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

To formally endorse the ceasefire and chart a common path for sustained de-escalation and peaceful settlement.

2. Activate Asean’s Good Offices and the High Council Under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC)

Asean should offer itself as a neutral platform for dialogue and facilitate confidence-building between Thailand and Cambodia.

3. Establish a Group of Eminent Persons (GEP) to Support Mediation and Peacebuilding

Malaysia can propose the formation of a Group of Eminent Persons comprising respected Asean statespersons, experienced diplomats, and public figures, with deep understanding of regional dynamics and historical context. Their role would be to:

• Provide informal mediation or advisory support;

• Offer a credible, impartial space for behind-the-scenes diplomacy;

• And reinforce Asean’s collective wisdom and continuity in dispute management.

4. Encourage Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)

Asean can support practical steps such as temporary disengagement of troops, mechanisms for joint monitoring, and facilitation of humanitarian access where needed.

5. Uphold Asean Centrality and Regional Autonomy

All efforts must remain within Asean’s institutional framework, avoiding external interference while reaffirming our commitment to peace, non-interference, and consensus.

Conclusion:

Prime Minister Anwar’s leadership has restored calm and demonstrated the enduring value of responsive, principled diplomacy. Malaysia, as Chair, now has a unique opportunity to consolidate this momentum through the institutional strengthening of Asean’s peace and security architecture.

In times of tension, unity must prevail over division, and diplomacy over confrontation.

We must act together to ensure that Asean remains not just a regional organisation, but a community of nations committed to peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Neow Choo Seong

Special officer on International Relations to Deputy Prime Minister