Phnom penh: Dialogue and diplomacy must continue to be prioritised in addressing the Cambodia-Thailand border issue to ensure regional peace and stability, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johari emphasized the importance of this approach to ensure that bilateral issues do not undermine the spirit of togetherness and unity within ASEAN. ASEAN serves as a platform for member states to build trust, seek common ground, and manage differences constructively. The border issue was among the matters discussed during his meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the sidelines of the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC-2) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border were also given attention, with Malaysia expressing understanding of Cambodia's concerns over the current situation, including its impact on residents in the affected areas. Johari stressed the necessity for dialogue and diplomacy in addressing differences among ASEAN member states, as mentioned in his Facebook post.
Johari is attending the conference in Phnom Penh, which is jointly hosted by Cambodia's National Assembly and Senate from August 26 to 28. He stated that Malaysia would continue to support efforts to bring all parties back to the negotiating table, prioritizing regional peace and stability. The meeting also included discussions on strengthening Malaysia-Cambodia ties, covering parliamentary cooperation, the economy, human capital development, and youth empowerment.
Johari highlighted the importance of providing youth from both countries with more opportunities to build ties through exchange programs and participation in the economic, social, and inter-parliamentary spheres. The potential to expand cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was also discussed, including skills training, institutional exchanges, and industry collaboration.
Johari expressed appreciation for the Cambodian government's role in facilitating the operations and investments of Malaysian companies in Cambodia, providing a conducive environment for the Malaysian business community. He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to continuing close cooperation with Cambodia to strengthen long-standing bilateral ties for the sake of peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the ASEAN region.