Kuala lumpur: The swift and effective ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is an unprecedented achievement for ASEAN, demonstrating the strength, commitment, and resolve of its leaders, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He noted that the breakthrough was made possible through multi-layered cooperation involving the prime ministers and foreign ministers of both nations, their armed forces, and the trust built among ASEAN leaders.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar expressed gratitude to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, the Cabinet, and the Chief of Defence Forces for their pivotal roles. He highlighted the remarkable relationship and trust between the armed forces and ASEAN leaders, representing Malaysia as ASEAN Chair. Anwar made these remarks during his address at the 58th ASEAN Day celebration, marking the anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the theme Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN Future.
Anwar emphasized that the high level of trust and confidence enabled all parties to swiftly secure an understanding, remarking that in the history of international ceasefires, this may be among the fastest and most effective. He mentioned that the United States and China have committed to supporting logistics in the ceasefire area but have left the bilateral understanding to Thailand and Cambodia, moderated by Malaysia.
All ASEAN leaders have pledged support to secure lasting peace between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar attributed the success to the mandate and backing of all ASEAN leaders, which bolstered Malaysia's mediation efforts. The ceasefire agreement, effective from midnight on July 28, was reached during a special meeting in Malaysia chaired by Anwar, following heightened tensions between the two countries.
Anwar expressed optimism about ASEAN's future geopolitical strategy, citing the ceasefire as a promising start. He also addressed the upcoming challenge in Myanmar, noting progress towards a ceasefire there. The foreign ministers of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are expected to visit Myanmar soon to advocate for an end to violence, cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of dialogue among stakeholders.
On the economic front, Anwar mentioned that the October ASEAN Summit will focus on boosting intra-ASEAN trade, cross-border investments, regional energy grid connectivity, and other collaborative economic initiatives. He described ASEAN's 58th anniversary celebration as a moment of pride and shared appreciation, recognizing the achievements since its founding and the progress made.
Anwar acknowledged that ASEAN's success is rooted in the ideas and vision of its founding leaders but cautioned that ongoing challenges require a strong commitment to ensure ASEAN's continued relevance. ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by its five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.