TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as the chairperson of ASEAN for 2025, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, said he plans to speak with his counterparts in Cambodia and Thailand as the escalation of border conflict between the two countries sharply rises.
Anwar described the situation as "disturbing," noting that both countries are key members of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc and close partners to Malaysia.
"This is something that is worrying. We have sent messages to both prime ministers, and I hope this evening or tonight, I will be able to speak to them," Anwar told reporters after attending the ASEAN 2025 Semiconductor Summit here today, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today.
"I had initial discussions last month with both prime ministers. We have sent messages to them and I look forward to talking to them later."
Malaysia currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN, the Southeast Asian bloc which includes Thailand and Cambodia.
Anwar hopes both sides can avoid further escalation.
"The least we can expect is for them to stand down or, hopefully, try to negotiate. They have made some attempts, but I think peace is the only option available."
When asked if the clashes could affect ASEAN's trade and economic prospects, he said it is too early to make an assessment. However, he remains optimistic.
"Both have their countries’ interests at heart. Both want to have a peaceful resolution, an amicable resolution to the conflict and both want to keep Asean engaged," he said.
The long-standing territorial dispute in the area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of the two countries and Laos meet, heated up again in May when a clash resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Since then, both sides have been attacking and retaliating. Thailand has restricted border crossings, and Cambodia has halted certain imports.
On Wednesday, Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its envoy after a Thai soldier lost a leg in a landmine blast. Today, Cambodia retaliated by downgrading its diplomatic relations with Bangkok to the lowest level.
On Thursday, CNA reported that Thailand had launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets. Meanwhile, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, dramatically escalating the long-standing border dispute between the neighboring countries.
Thailand's military said that Cambodian forces initiated the heavy weapon firing, including Russian-made BM-21 rockets. The Thai Air Force then countered with F-16 fighter jet attacks on several locations in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said its forces were acting in self-defense after being attacked.
Thailand's Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said at least 11 people, including several civilians, were reported dead in clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces.
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