Malaysia (Commonwealth Union)_ Malaysia is hoping that Thailand and Cambodia will sign a ceasefire agreement during the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit, as tensions remain high along their shared border following a deadly military clash earlier this year. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday that discussions are underway to finalize a broader ceasefire pact, which may be officially named the Kuala Lumpur Declaration or Kuala Lumpur Accord.
The agreement, if reached, would mark a significant step forward in easing regional tensions and preventing future conflict. Malaysia and the United States are acting as mediators in the peace effort, with both countries pushing for the deal to be signed during the ASEAN leaders’ meeting scheduled from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur. More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend, including US President Donald Trump, though Washington has yet to confirm his attendance.
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A fragile truce under pressure
The move comes after a five-day border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in late July left dozens dead and forced over 260,000 civilians to flee their homes. The fighting only stopped after Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim intervened, and President Trump reportedly threatened to suspend trade benefits if both nations failed to de-escalate. Despite the ceasefire, tensions have remained high. In August, several Thai soldiers were injured by landmines while patrolling a buffer zone. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new mines in violation of the truce, an accusation Phnom Penh has strongly denied.
To prevent further escalation, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has put forward four key conditions for the ceasefire: the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from border areas, landmine clearance, joint efforts to tackle cross-border crime, and better management of disputed territories. Cambodia has pushed back against the claims, stating that people have lived in the contested border villages for generations and accusing Thailand of provocations.
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Hopes for a breakthrough at the summit
Foreign Minister Mohamad said he remains optimistic that a ceasefire agreement can be signed during the ASEAN summit. He confirmed that talks are focused not just on halting hostilities but also on ensuring the removal of landmines and the repositioning of military assets away from the disputed areas. On Sunday, a four-nation consultation was held in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together representatives from Malaysia, the United States, Thailand, and Cambodia.
The session was chaired by Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and is seen as a key step toward finalizing the terms of the agreement. The two Southeast Asian nations are currently disputing stretches of their 817-kilometer shared border, and previous attempts at resolution have fallen short. However, officials hope that regional pressure and international involvement will lead to a lasting resolution this time.
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Summit preparations underway
Malaysia is preparing for a high-security summit, with around 16,000 police officers set to be deployed in and around Kuala Lumpur during the three-day event. As the current chair of ASEAN, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will host the summit, which includes not only ASEAN member states but also dialogue partners and key global leaders. President Trump, who has been actively involved in other recent ceasefire efforts like the peace deal between Israel and Hamas signed earlier this month in Egypt, is expected to attend the summit and witness the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accord. ASEAN comprises ten member nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Whether or not the ceasefire deal is signed, the summit will shine a spotlight on ASEAN’s role in resolving regional conflicts and promoting long-term peace.
