In a video address posted on his Facebook page, Anwar congratulated both countries for consolidating their truce through direct talks in China, calling the shift from hostilities to structured negotiations a critical step toward durable peace.

“Malaysia welcomed the agreement by Cambodia and Thailand to consolidate their ceasefire through direct talks held in China,” Anwar said, adding that the process reflected “a determination to prevent relapse and to stabilize the situation on a more durable footing,” as outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

He thanked China for hosting the negotiations, singling out Foreign Minister Wang Yi for providing a constructive platform that enabled both sides to focus on confidence-building and risk-reduction measures.

Anwar also credited U.S. President Donald J. Trump for his role in brokering the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, saying Washington’s involvement created the political space for both parties to step back from confrontation and commit to restraint.

Cambodia and Thailand signed an immediate ceasefire Dec. 27 during the third special General Border Committee meeting, marking a turning point in a conflict that had displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed dozens of lives since early December.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, calm continues to prevail along border areas, allowing families to return. The ministry reported 16,343 displaced people have gone back to their villages, reducing the remaining displaced population to 595,545, including 310,844 women and 187,292 children.

Authorities confirmed no new civilian deaths or injuries during the reporting period. Since fighting erupted Dec. 7, 32 civilians have been killed and 95 injured, the ministry said.

The Philippines will assume the ASEAN chairmanship Jan. 1 under the theme “Navigating Our Future Together,” as the region looks to consolidate peace and support recovery in affected border communities.

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Anwar said the ceasefire was to begin at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, with ASEAN observers and U.S. satellite monitoring in place to verify compliance. The plan required both sides to halt hostilities and freeze troop movements.

Instead, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence reported Thai forces fired rockets, artillery, and cluster munitions across the border from shortly after midnight until 8 a.m. Sunday. The ministry said a Thai F‑16 fighter jet crossed into Cambodian airspace at 5:55 a.m., dropping four bombs in Veal Veng district, Pursat province.

In Preah Vihear province, rockets struck near the temple at 2:40 a.m., followed by armored vehicle deployments and artillery barrages. Additional strikes hit Khnar Temple at 5:30 a.m. In Pursat, shelling continued for hours, targeting villages including O’Phlok Damrei, Chak Cha‑1, Beung Trakuon, and Chhouk Chey.

Cambodia accused Thailand of indiscriminate bombardment, civilian casualties, and destruction of property, infrastructure, and heritage sites. The Defence Ministry condemned the attacks as “grave violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law,” demanding an immediate halt.

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According to Bloomberg, Trump linked the move to his “peace through strength” approach. “Tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call” to both countries, Trump said Tuesday evening at an event in Pennsylvania. “Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries’? We’re making peace through strength.”

Trump previously threatened both nations with trade restrictions in July to halt fighting that left dozens dead. In October, he oversaw the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accords, which outlined a path to peace and included trade deals with Cambodia and Thailand.

The clashes, which reignited over the weekend, have involved artillery exchanges and Thai F-16 airstrikes along the 800-kilometer frontier.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence reported heavy Thai strikes Tuesday across Military Regions 4 and 5, hitting temples, villages and other civilian areas. Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said Thai jets, tanks and artillery targeted Tamone temple, Ta Krabey, Anses and Prey Chan village.

She said the attacks violate international law and have forced more than 20,000 families — over 101,000 people — to flee their homes. Cambodian forces, she added, are acting strictly in self-defense.

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“Our expectation is that the process, with respect to all of the commitments, begin as soon as they were signed,” the official was quoted as saying.

The report comes after Cambodia and Thailand reached a peace deal to end months of border tension. On October 26, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a landmark peace accord in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, concluding weeks of negotiations following deadly clashes along the border.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and was witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Under the agreement, Thailand pledged to release 18 Cambodian soldiers who were detained after a ceasefire took effect following five days of conflict in late July.

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, speaking as current Chair of ASEAN, emphasized Malaysia’s proactive role in facilitating dialogue and conflict resolution.

He highlighted the recent ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand as a key achievement, made possible through Malaysia’s mediation efforts.

President Trump praised Malaysia’s leadership and ASEAN’s resilience, calling the ceasefire a “significant step” toward regional stability. Anwar also thanked the United States for its support in advancing the peace initiative, stressing the importance of international cooperation in resolving regional disputes.

The call took place during a courtesy visit by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who is attending the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia.

Yang Peou, Secretary General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, welcomed Malaysia’s involvement, saying its observer mission has helped defuse tensions.

He warned that without continued oversight, Thailand could provoke further incidents and distort facts to portray Cambodia as the aggressor.

Malaysia is preparing to host President Trump at the upcoming ASEAN Summit, expected to focus on strategic collaboration for peace and prosperity across Southeast Asia.

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