Malaysia Has Never Interfered In Thailand-Cambodia Dispute - Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has never interfered in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stressed that Malaysia only served as a facilitator at the request of both parties.

“We are not the coordinator; we are only the facilitator, we are facilitating,” he said, adding that Malaysia continues to adhere firmly to ASEAN’s non-interference principle.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) regarding the government’s official stance following claims by certain parties in Thailand that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had meddled in that country’s affairs concerning the border dispute with Cambodia.

Mohamad said the claims do not carry any serious implications for Malaysia’s image within ASEAN.

“This has been used as political mileage by a small opposition party in Thailand as they head into an election.

“To claim that Malaysia, particularly the Prime Minister, has interfered is entirely incorrect. Malaysia has never intervened. We have always upheld the ASEAN principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states,” he said.

He assured that Malaysia will continue to play its role as a trusted facilitator for neighbouring countries.

-- BERNAMA