14/12/2025

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday DEC 14, 2025

‘Cambodia, Thailand agree to halt clashes’

Nation to boost relations with Vietnam HANOI: Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a phone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional and international issues. Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that Chinh had welcomed the call which followed their meeting at the G20 Summit last month. He praised their regular phone talks that fostered timely coordination and information sharing on issues of common concern. Chinh said it reflected the growing political trust between the two countries, including between high-ranking leaders, in line with the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Bernama reported. Discussing future cooperation orientations, the two leaders noted with satisfaction the positive progress in the Vietnam-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the recent past. They agreed to soon formally adopt the 2026-2030 action plan for implementing the partnership to set specific directions and raise bilateral trade to US$20 billion (RM82 billion) in a more balanced manner. Chinh suggested that both nations should further strengthen cooperation in rice trading, maritime and ocean affairs, with priority given to oil and gas collaboration between the Vietnam National Industry Energy Group (Petrovietnam) and Petronas as well as cooperation in joint fishing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The two sides also expressed deep concern over the recent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, and called for restraint, no use of force, dialogue and peaceful resolution, according to VNA. Minister: MoU with US not related to ART KUALA LUMPUR: The MoU on Defence Cooperation between Malaysia and the United States (US) is unrelated to the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed on Oct 26 at the Asean Summit here, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said the MoU is legally non-binding and had been under negotiation since 2020. He added that the defence cooperation instrument, signed by the Defence Ministry with the US Department of War on Oct 30 on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting, is an MoU, not an agreement as previously suggested. “The Defence Cooperation MoU focuses on bilateral activities between Malaysia and the US, covering capability and capacity development, military training and exercises, defence science, technology and industry as well as other areas mutually agreed upon through the Malaysia-US Strategic Talks, conducted since 2008. “The signing of Defence Cooperation MoUs with partner countries is a form of defence diplomacy, as outlined in the Third Pillar of the Defence White Paper launched in 2019 during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as the seventh prime minister.” Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia had also signed Defence Cooperation MoUs with other countries, including China (in 2016), Japan (2018), Laos (2019), Indonesia (2022), Vietnam (2023) and the United Arab Emirates (Dec 11). – Bernama

US President Donald Trump thanks Anwar for role in mediating efforts to end conflict

neighbourliness,” he said in a post on his Facebook page. Anwar added that as Asean chair Malaysia would convene a special meeting of Asean foreign ministers in the near future to assess the situation and support measures to defuse tensions in the region. “I also express my appreciation for the active engagement of the US with Asean and the confidence given to Malaysia as the 2025 Asean chair.” The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, which has lasted for decades, flared up again in July and led to a five day military clash. The two countries later agreed to a ceasefire in Kuala Lumpur on July 24 and subsequently signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord on Oct 26 during the 47th Asean Summit, witnessed by Anwar and Trump. However, fighting recently flared up again, causing several deaths and displacing thousands of people.

KUALA LUMPUR: United States (US) President Donald Trump said on Friday that Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to halt border clashes. In a post on Truth Social, he also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his assistance in securing the agreement. Trump said he had a good conversation with both prime ministers – Hun Manet of Cambodia and Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand. “They have agreed to cease all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me and them, with the help of the great Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim. “It is my honour to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major war between two

otherwise wonderful and prosperous countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim for his assistance in this very important matter.” He added that both countries are ready for peace and continued trade with the US, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, Anwar said he had held discussions with Trump regarding the Cambodia-Thailand conflict during a phone call. “I explained Malaysia’s role in urging both countries to remain calm and return to the negotiating table through dialogue as well as bilateral and Asean mechanisms. “Malaysia remains ready to assist efforts to defuse the situation, protect civilians and restore regional stability in line with the Asean spirit of good

PM calls for satellite monitoring, stop to renewed fighting (From left) Council of Churches of Malaysia president Bishop Datuk Danald Jute, Fadillah, Anwar and Eu during the Christmas tea reception yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

approach that prioritised Bahasa Melayu while strengthening English language proficiency, and allowing space for other language streams. He also linked the language policy to the ongoing debate on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). Anwar said other language streams should not be treated as incompatible with national priorities. “Number one, Bahasa. Number two, English. Number three, Chinese, including the UEC. I cannot understand why there was so much anxiety and anger over claims that I had discarded our national policy. That is not true. “We will not succeed if Indians speak only about Tamil education or if Chinese speak only about the UEC while ignoring the importance of Bahasa and English.”

ceasefire announcement without credible enforcement but still supported peace efforts. “Thailand did not insist on an immediate ceasefire announcement because it said that every time a ceasefire is declared, fighting still continues, which defeats its purpose.” The reception brought together church leaders, diplomats and representatives from various Christian denominations. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and CFM chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng. In his speech earlier, Anwar said sustaining peace in a multi-racial and multi-religious society requires consistent protection of rights and rejection of racism. He also touched on the national language issue, framing it as a policy

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has proposed an immediate halt to hostilities with satellite monitoring along the Thailand Cambodia border amid renewed fighting between the two countries. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he spoke with Anutin Charnvirakul and Hun Manet, the respective prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, on Friday and yesterday. Both had also spoken with United States President Donald Trump. “The situation is tense,” said Anwar at a Christmas tea reception organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) yesterday. Anwar said Thailand did not want a