Johari Abdul calls for diplomacy to prevent Cambodia-Thailand dispute from straining Asean

Malaysia's Speaker of the House, Johari Abdul, has called for dialogue and diplomacy to be prioritized in resolving the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, in order to preserve regional peace and stability, according to a report on August 28. Johari emphasized during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh that bilateral disputes should not undermine the spirit of unity within Asean, which provides a platform for member states to build trust, find common ground, and manage differences constructively.

The border issue was among the topics discussed during Johari's meeting with the Cambodian prime minister. Malaysia acknowledged Cambodia's concerns over the situation and its impact on residents in the affected areas. Johari stressed that Malaysia supports dialogue and diplomacy in addressing any differences among Asean member states.

During the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) in Phnom Penh, Johari is focused on ensuring that regional peace and stability are preserved. The meeting included discussions on strengthening Malaysia-Cambodia ties, covering parliamentary cooperation, the economy, human capital development, and youth empowerment.

Both sides agreed to provide more opportunities for youth from both countries to build ties through exchange programs and participation in the economic, social, and inter-parliamentary spheres. They also discussed expanding cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including through skills training, institutional exchanges, and industry collaboration.

Johari appreciated the Cambodian government's role in facilitating the operations and investments of Malaysian companies in the country, which provides a conducive environment for the Malaysian business community. He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to maintaining close cooperation with Cambodia to strengthen long-standing bilateral ties, ensuring peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Asean region.