ASEAN Chair Calls for Immediate Calm as Cambodia–Thailand Border Fighting Raises Regional Alarm

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Kuala Lumpur — 8 December 2025 — His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, has issued a strong and urgent call for restraint following reports of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along their shared border, warning that continued fighting risks undermining hard-won regional stability.

In a public statement shared via Facebook, Prime Minister Anwar expressed deep concern over the escalation and conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed and injured. He cautioned that renewed hostilities threaten to unravel the painstaking diplomatic efforts invested in stabilising relations between the two neighbouring countries.

As close partners of Malaysia and key members of the ASEAN, both Cambodia and Thailand were urged to exercise maximum restraint, keep open channels of communication, and fully utilise existing conflict-prevention and resolution mechanisms. Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, affirmed its readiness to support all constructive steps aimed at restoring calm and preventing further incidents.

Prime Minister Anwar stressed that Southeast Asia cannot afford a return to cycles of confrontation, underscoring that the immediate priority must be the cessation of fighting, the protection of civilians, and a swift return to diplomacy, grounded in international law and the ASEAN tradition of neighbourly cooperation.

Malaysia reiterated its firm commitment to regional peace, stability and dialogue, calling on all parties to act with wisdom and responsibility in the interest of collective security.