KUALA LUMPUR – United States President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his role in brokering peace between Cambodia and Thailand, describing the Malaysian leader as a “great and historic figure” following the signing of the KL Peace Accord today.
Trump, who attended the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, said he felt compelled to visit Malaysia after Anwar’s successful mediation helped resolve the year-long dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
“The two leaders (Thailand and Cambodia) have great respect for each other, but the Prime Minister (Anwar) played a very important role in helping convene the two sides for discussions here in Kuala Lumpur,” Trump said before witnessing the signing of the agreement, formally titled Delivering Peace: Cambodia–Thailand Peace Deal.
Also present were Anwar, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Malaysia, in turn, expressed appreciation to the United States for its support in facilitating the agreement. Anwar said Trump’s personal engagement and commitment were instrumental in steering both nations towards peace.
“When I first received your call, urging me to do more in supporting the peace initiative — and you personally called both prime ministers to urge for a speedy settlement — I would say thank you,” Anwar told Trump during the ceremony.
“We, of course, admire your tenacity and courage because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly.”
Anwar also commended Anutin and Hun Manet for their dedication in achieving reconciliation after months of tension.
“You both did a great job. We are delighted to have you as colleagues, as true friends. You understand the need to secure peace to save our people, and also uphold Asean’s position as a region of peace and prosperity,” he said.
Among those attending the ceremony were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan.
The KL Peace Accord marks the formal end of hostilities along the 817-kilometre Thai–Cambodian border after tensions erupted into a brief military confrontation in July.
Following the clashes, Anwar hosted an emergency meeting in Putrajaya on July 28 with Hun Manet and then Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, paving the way for a ceasefire that prevented further escalation and safeguarded civilians in the conflict zone.
The peace agreement is being hailed as a major diplomatic achievement for Asean under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship, whose theme —“Inclusivity and Sustainability” — underscores the bloc’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
The 47th Asean Summit, hosted by Malaysia from October 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, gathers more than 30 world leaders for high-level talks on peace, economic resilience, and sustainable development across the region. — October 26, 2025