Keep Thai-Cambodia Peace Push Alive In Run-Up To ASEAN Summit In October - Analysts

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be a key test of Malaysia’s ability to sustain momentum in resolving the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, with analysts noting that Kuala Lumpur’s leadership has restored confidence in ASEAN’s capacity to address regional disputes.

They observed that the ceasefire agreement brokered in July under Malaysia’s facilitation not only defused tensions between the two neighbours but also demonstrated that the regional bloc, with decisive leadership, can move beyond statements and deliver tangible outcomes.

ISIS Thailand Director Dr Pongphisoot Busbarat said the ongoing facilitation under Malaysia’s leadership had been crucial in building trust between the parties, strengthening ASEAN’s credibility, and averting the conflict from escalating into a prolonged crisis.

“Malaysia’s leadership at this time is very important, absolutely. It’s a key first step towards conflict resolution, and both parties agree to implement the ceasefire, even though some skirmishes still happen.

“But then, at least with that spirit of ceasefire, it can just keep going on. I think Malaysia’s role is very key. And you know, as the ASEAN Chair, and with both countries trusting Malaysia to play this role,” he told Bernama.

Pongphisoot further pointed out that the ASEAN principle of non-interference remains in place, but in today’s global challenge and context, it appears to be applied with adjustments to allow for more effective conflict resolution.

He said ASEAN’s long-standing non-interference principle should be applied in a way that enables, rather than hinders, constructive engagement.

“In this current geopolitical context, we need to adjust, right, how to use the non-interference principle in a wiser way… it doesn’t mean that we should use that intramural norm as an obstacle to solving the conflict at this stage,” he said.

Concurring with Pongphisoot, Associate Professor Dr Chaiwat Meesantan, Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies at Thammasat University, said the October summit would be an opportunity to showcase Malaysia’s role in brokering the ceasefire and, in doing so, revitalise ASEAN’s image.

He said the facilitation of the July agreement had shown that ASEAN, when led with conviction, could settle disputes without the involvement of outside powers.

“ASEAN plays a very important role in helping Thailand and Cambodia arrive at a solution to a problem and to agree to a ceasefire, as in the past July, and this shows ASEAN’s impact when led strongly - it can solve the problem by our own organisation, not from outside,” he said.

Both analysts also agreed that the Philippines should commit to sustaining the current momentum when it assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship next year and called for greater engagement with ASEAN’s dialogue partners to support peace efforts.

Pongphisoot said bringing in other regional powers could help ASEAN maintain balance and stability in the face of shifting policies by major powers.

“Bringing in other regional powers would benefit ASEAN to keep the balance against instabilities and abrupt policy from other great powers, not only China, but also Russia, for example,” he said.

On a similar note, Chaiwat opined that the Philippines should have no difficulty continuing the process, provided it commits to sustaining the momentum.

“The important thing is to start; to continue is very easy… if the Philippines promises that they will continue, I think it is a good way for ASEAN,” he said.

The 47th ASEAN Summit is slated to be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

Following Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship, the Philippines is scheduled to assume the ASEAN Chair in 2026, taking over leadership of the bloc for the next calendar year.

-- BERNAMA