Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered immediate new negotiations to revive a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which Thailand suspended after four of its soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion near the border.
Prime Minister Anwar assigned Malaysian armed forces chief Gen. Nizam Jaafar to lead the new talks. Thailand’s decision to suspend the declaration, announced yesterday, was directly linked to the border incident.
Mr. Anwar explained that Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul decided to halt the agreement’s implementation following reports of landmine explosions. Four Thai soldiers sustained injuries in the blast along the Thai-Cambodia frontier.
“The issue raised now is the landmine explosion in an area believed to be related to Cambodian soldiers,” Prime Minister Anwar quoted Mr. Anutin as saying. “Therefore, Mr. Anutin said that as long as that issue is not resolved, we will postpone approval. But he did not retaliate.”
The original peace agreement stipulated a withdrawal of forces from the border and a resolution for landmine-related issues. Mr. Anwar indicated that progress on these terms was underway.
“Of course, this latest incident will anger Thais and raise the question, ‘Has this agreement been violated?’” Mr. Anwar stated. He added that the Thai Prime Minister did not question Malaysia’s responsibility or role in the matter.
Thailand has urged Cambodia to fully comply with the conditions of the agreement.
The peace declaration was the result of continuous engagement between Prime Minister Anwar and various Thai leaders. It was notably witnessed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump during a past ASEAN summit.
The Malaysian premier addressed criticism surrounding the declaration, including allegations from former Thai Channel 5 director-general Gen. Rangsi Kitiyanasap. Gen. Rangsi reportedly accused Mr. Anwar of causing economic harm to Thailand by facilitating U.S. economic intervention through the accord.
Prime Minister Anwar rejected these claims. He emphasized that Malaysians should prioritize peace over political disputes.
“Is it fun to argue that the Prime Minister failed? Do you want the agreement to fail just to prove that the Malaysian Prime Minister failed? Come on, I prefer to pray for peace, because if conflict arises, it will affect us too,” Mr. Anwar said.
He reiterated Malaysia’s role as a mediator in the process. “Many in Cambodia view Thailand as an aggressor, while many in Thailand think Cambodia violated principles. That’s why we stepped in to help mediate.”
Mr. Anwar expressed indifference to Gen. Rangsi’s credibility, noting that some individuals in Malaysia also opposed the declaration.