PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA December 14, 2025 – Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim shared on Saturday that he has urged Thailand and Cambodia to immediately halt hostilities along their disputed border, proposing a ceasefire effective from 10:00 PM on December 13 (UTC+7) and the deployment of an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) supported by U.S. satellite monitoring.
In a bilingual statement posted on social media, Anwar revealed he held separate phone calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, following discussions with U.S. President Donald J. Trump. He expressed Malaysia’s “deep concern” over the escalating violence, which has seen heavy artillery exchanges, airstrikes, and civilian displacements since fighting resumed earlier this month.
Anwar called for both sides to “exercise maximum restraint, cease all forms of hostilities, and refrain from any further military actions,” including the use of force or advancing armed units. To enhance transparency and de-escalation, he requested the AOT—led by Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Forces—to monitor ground developments, complemented by U.S.-provided satellite imagery starting at the same time.
The observer team’s findings will be compiled and presented at an upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, aiming to provide an “objective account” of the situation for accountability and regional stability.
Malaysia, as current ASEAN chair, reiterated its commitment to diplomacy, stating it will work closely with regional partners and the international community to prioritize dialogue and restraint.
The proposal comes amid the deadliest flare-up in the long-standing border dispute since a fragile U.S.-brokered truce in October collapsed. Reports indicate dozens killed, hundreds injured, and hundreds of thousands displaced on both sides, with accusations of violations traded between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
Cambodia has welcomed the initiative, while Thailand has emphasized the need for direct talks before any formal ceasefire, amid ongoing military operations.
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