Putrajaya: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his significant role in facilitating ceasefire negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand in Putrajaya yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Azri, in a Facebook post today, highlighted the prime minister's efforts, emphasizing Malaysia's commitment to playing a proactive role at the regional level. He noted that Anwar, acting in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, was instrumental in the peace efforts aimed at ending the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

As ASEAN Chair 2025, Malaysia has played an essential role in fostering consensus, promoting peaceful negotiations, upholding humanitarian principles, and ensuring regional security, Shamsul Azri stated. This leadership was evident during a special meeting in Putrajaya, where Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to ease tensions along their disputed border.

The meeting was attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Additionally, United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan co-organized the meeting, with China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing present as an observer in support of a peaceful resolution.

The longstanding dispute between the two Southeast Asian nations involves an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions have been heightened since May 28, following a skirmish near the disputed Preah Vihear area that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The most recent hostilities occurred on July 24, with armed clashes reported along Cambodia's northern border region, causing casualties on both sides.