PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has firmly denied accusations from Thai nationalists that Malaysia interfered in the recent Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, insisting Kuala Lumpur only facilitated dialogue as a trusted neighbour and ASEAN 2025 chair.
Speaking to Malaysian media in Johannesburg, Anwar said, “We are not involved, nor do we give any specific prescription on how they should achieve a settlement.”
He said Malaysia merely enabled communication between the two countries’ armed forces chiefs and foreign ministers, and encouraged direct talks between the prime ministers.
Hours earlier in Bangkok, hundreds of protesters organised by the nationalist group “United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty” rallied outside the Malaysian Embassy, waving Thai flags and demanding Anwar stop meddling in Thailand’s sovereignty.
Prominent figures including activist Pichit Chaimongkol and former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan accused Anwar of pressuring Thailand to negotiate over disputed border areas and even called for his removal from ASEAN.
The protests come after a Thai-Cambodian peace accord signed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26, witnessed by Anwar and US President Donald Trump, collapsed when Bangkok postponed implementation following a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers.
Anwar maintained that both nations have full sovereign rights to resolve their issues, adding the topic will likely arise during upcoming talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The demonstrators also plan to protest at the US Embassy, claiming Washington linked trade talks to Thailand’s border stance. —Nov 23, 2025
Main image: UPI
