Subang: Ten officers from the Interim Observer Team (IOT) have departed for Cambodia to conduct a monitoring mission on the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. Commissioner of the Joint Force, Lt Gen Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin, announced that the team, led by Brig Gen Datuk Asri Shukor from the Malaysian Army, includes five Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) officers from all three branches-land, air, and sea-as well as two military officers each from Indonesia and the Philippines.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the IOT was established at the invitation of the Cambodian government, with Malaysia, as the lead nation, coordinating the mission alongside Indonesia and the Philippines. Efforts are underway to involve Singapore and Brunei in the near future. The team departed at 11 am on a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, bound for Phnom Penh in a flight that will take about three hours.
Zahani stated that the team would be stationed at two strategic locations in Cambodia-Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey-about 40 kilometers from the conflict border with Thailand. Their task is to conduct daily and weekly patrols to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement. The establishment of the IOT underscores ASEAN's solidarity in promoting peaceful solutions through dialogue, as well as impartial and professional monitoring.
"This mission is temporary, with an initial deployment period of three months. However, it may be extended based on the situation on the ground and with the agreement of the host country, Cambodia," Zahani explained. He also highlighted the main challenge for the IOT is to ensure its reports remain neutral and credible, particularly since the team is stationed on the Cambodian side of the border, while Thailand has yet to agree to receive the IOT despite the Terms of Reference (TOR) being clearly outlined.
Zahani emphasized the importance of neutrality, stating, "We have reminded all team members to ensure their reports are completely neutral and unbiased. This mission symbolizes ASEAN's commitment to supporting the peace process between the two countries." He added that the ATM's ability to quickly mobilize the observer team demonstrates a high level of readiness and professionalism, comparable to international monitoring teams.
"Like the United Nations (UN) observer teams, the IOT is unarmed and equipped only with four-wheel drive vehicles, radio communication systems, and other communication facilities necessary to carry out its observation and reporting duties professionally," Zahani noted.