Putrajaya: Malaysia played a crucial role in easing the tensions between Thailand and Cambodia by hosting the landmark diplomatic meeting that led to the immediate ceasefire between the two countries, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil revealed today. He said the historic engagement in Putrajaya last Monday was hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and involved Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia, as this year’s ASEAN Chair, has demonstrated leadership in navigating the region’s complexity to find common ground. Fahmi emphasized that the intention was clear, aiming to restore peace and stability in the region. The monthly assembly at the Ministry of Communications, attended by Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, was the platform for these revelations.

Fahmi described the meeting as a rare moment when Malaysia was at the center of regional diplomacy. He highlighted the major breakthrough achieved as both parties reached a consensus and jointly declared a ceasefire. However, he cautioned that the situation remains fluid on the ground.

To support the ceasefire’s implementation, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar led a diplomatic delegation to both Thailand and Cambodia to engage with their respective military leaderships. Tensions had flared between the two countries following a brief exchange of gunfire in May, escalating into a full-blown armed conflict by July. The fighting claimed at least 32 lives and displaced over 200,000 people from border areas. Direct negotiations in Putrajaya have now yielded results, with both sides agreeing to de-escalate and implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.