Cambodia, Malaysia Pledge Closer Defence Ties, Peaceful Border Dialogue

PHNOM PENH, July 9, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and Malaysia have agreed to deepen military cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to resolving regional disputes through dialogue rather than force, during talks in Phnom Penh between Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Commander‑in‑Chief General Vong Pisen and Malaysian Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Malek Razak Bin Sulaiman. The RCAF said Pisen described the visit as an important step in reinforcing the longstanding friendship between the two militaries, noting 2026 marks the 69th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He thanked Malaysia for its role in Cambodia’s peace process during the 1993 UNTAC mission and for facilitating dialogue over the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute in 2025, including its initiative to establish the ASEAN Observer Team. Pisen reiterated Cambodia’s rejection of force to alter internationally recognised borders, stressing commitment to peaceful settlement under international law. He proposed accelerating a defence cooperation MoU and expanding collaboration across all branches of the armed forces, including training, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and cooperation against transnational crime. General Malek Razak praised Cambodia’s restraint amid border tensions and reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for dialogue under the General Border Committee and Joint Border Committee mechanisms, while upholding ASEAN centrality. He welcomed Cambodia’s proposals to broaden defence ties and confirmed Malaysia’s continued backing of the ASEAN Observer Team, saying the mission would help monitor the ceasefire and contribute to peace and stability along the Cambodia–Thailand border and across the wider region.