PM Anwar’s Four Wins As ASEAN Chair, According To Veteran Thai Journalist

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (Bernama) --  Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s success in mediating a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, which resulted in an immediate halt to armed clashes along their disputed border, was hailed as a major diplomatic victory. 

The courageous and decisive move by the Malaysian premier has not only strengthened his position as a political leader and effective ASEAN Chair, but also elevated the regional bloc’s profile on the global stage.

Veteran Thai journalist and regional affairs commentator Kavi Chongkittavorn said when tensions escalated into artillery exchanges between the two neighbouring countries last month, Anwar seized the moment in his capacity as ASEAN Chair and emerged as a statesman on the regional stage.

In an article titled "Four Wins For ASEAN Chair Anwar" published on Thai PBS World, Kavi said the Malaysian Prime Minister scored four wins with his decisive step to help de-escalate the ongoing tension between the two neighbours.

The first win he noted was that Anwar, leveraging his position as ASEAN Chair, stepped up to act as a mediator, projecting himself as Southeast Asia’s peacemaker.

He attributed the second win to Anwar’s ability to turn the crisis into an opportunity to boost ASEAN’s centrality and relevance.

“Major powers often ridicule ASEAN as a talk shop without action. The ceasefire deal – which still holds – changed that narrative.

“Anwar used his chairmanship to show ASEAN could broker peace when it mattered.

“He didn’t just convene meetings; he actively facilitated the entire process.

“The message is clear: ASEAN is performing a somersault. It just needs decisive leadership,” Kavi said. 

He said the Malaysian premier’s third win was succeeding to not only break the deadlock of the armed clashes, but also to convince Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to come to Kuala Lumpur for an unprecedented face-to-face direct dialogue.

For the record, previous confrontations from 2008 to 2011 saw Thailand completely decline ASEAN's invitation for mediation talks.

The fourth win was balancing the two major powers and important players for ASEAN – the United States (US) and China, and most remarkably, engaging them to witness the ceasefire talks.

“These superpowers rarely collaborate on anything these days. Yet both sent envoys to support the ASEAN chair’s initiative.

“Both powers were present, but neither dominated – exactly what ASEAN wanted,” he said.

Anwar's balancing act was particularly impressive, given his recent regular vitriol against Washington. He has been vocal about Gaza (more so than Indonesia), criticising both Israeli and US policies.

Kavi said this extraordinary achievement shows what ASEAN can achieve with active, credible leadership.

“After all, Anwar is an old and astute ASEAN hand. Truth be told, Anwar understood this perfectly. He saw that regional dynamics and global shifts had created an opening. He seized it with both hands,” he wrote.

For ASEAN, Kavi said the crisis reminds us that actions speak louder than words, and louder than all the annual joint communiqués.

“For Anwar, it is proof that skilled diplomacy can transform political fortunes. For the region, it is hoped that ASEAN-led solutions can still work in Trump's world,” he added.

Kavi’s full article can be read at Thai PBS World – Four Wins for ASEAN Chair Anwar.

-- BERNAMA