Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s role as a mediator in the ceasefire negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand has contributed positively to the reciprocal negotiations between Malaysia and the United States (US), said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul responded to reporters’ questions about the impact of Malaysia’s role in helping to temporarily stop the border conflict between the two neighbouring countries by saying, “Honestly I don’t know, I didn’t ask. but it definitely helps.” He explained that the issue of Cambodia and Thailand was one of the matters discussed between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump during a telephone call.

Tengku Zafrul mentioned that one of the discussions between the prime minister and the US president focused on the ceasefire, which positively highlighted Malaysia’s role as chairman of ASEAN and a peacekeeper in the ceasefire. The long-standing border dispu
te between Thailand and Cambodia, which spans an 817-kilometre area, reached a peak on May 28 when fighting near the disputed Preah Vihear area resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

In addition, Tengku Zafrul stated that Malaysia had requested that the tariff rates imposed on Malaysia be competitive with other ASEAN countries. He noted, “We want the (tariffs) rate to be fair in the region, with our ASEAN neighbours… relatively, we are quite satisfied with the rate.”

He further mentioned that Malaysia feels the 19 per cent rate is fair and aligns with the rate of other countries in the Southeast Asian region. A joint statement on US tariffs from Malaysia and the US is expected to be released this Saturday or Sunday.