Malaysia denies interfering in Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, says it only facilitates at both parties’ request while upholding ASEAN principles.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has never interfered in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told Parliament today.
He stressed that Malaysia only served as a facilitator at the request of both neighbouring countries.
“We are not the coordinator; we are only the facilitator, we are facilitating,” Mohamad said during question time.
He added that Malaysia continues to adhere firmly to ASEAN’s non-interference principle.
Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail regarding the government’s official stance.
The question followed 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,” he explained.
“To claim that Malaysia, particularly the Prime Minister, has interfered is entirely incorrect.”
He reiterated that Malaysia has never intervened in the internal affairs of other ASEAN member states.
Mohamad assured that Malaysia will continue to play its role as a trusted facilitator for neighbouring countries.
