Cambodia, Malaysia Vow Closer Ties Ahead of 70th Anniversary

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia and Malaysia pledged Wednesday to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors as they prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. The commitment was made during Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn’s official visit to Malaysia on August 3‑4, where he co‑chaired the third Cambodia‑Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in Putrajaya. Prak Sokhonn also paid a courtesy call on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, congratulating Malaysia on its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship and thanking Anwar for his role in supporting the peaceful resolution of the Cambodia‑Thailand border dispute, Cambodia’s foreign ministry said. Both sides welcomed the steady development of ties and agreed to strengthen cooperation between their governments and legislatures ahead of next year’s diplomatic milestone. Economic collaboration was identified as a key pillar, with plans to expand work in manufacturing, food processing, industry, the digital economy, renewable energy and cross‑border energy projects. The two countries also pledged to boost business engagement through trade forums, exhibitions and investment events. Agricultural cooperation will be broadened beyond rice, with increased trade in cashew nuts, refined rubber and palm oil. Security ties featured prominently, with both sides noting recent military exchanges, including the first Cambodia‑Malaysia Army Working Group Meeting in May and the July visit to Phnom Penh by Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Forces General Mohd Nizam Jaffar. They also vowed closer collaboration against transnational crime, including human trafficking, cyber‑enabled fraud and drug trafficking, with Malaysia backing Cambodia’s hosting of the International Conference on Combating Cyber Fraud on September 23‑24. Talks also covered cooperation in education, vocational training, medical tourism and migrant worker protection, with Cambodia expressing appreciation for Malaysia’s support for Cambodian workers and students. Tourism was highlighted as a growing area, with both governments agreeing to improve air connectivity to encourage travel and people‑to‑people exchanges. The ministers further discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, science and technology, climate change, disaster management, public health, urban development, public administration, culture and media. On regional issues, Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s position that the border dispute with Thailand should be resolved peacefully in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements.