In a landmark moment for Southeast Asia, United States President Donald Trump has showered praise on Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his instrumental role in brokering the long-awaited peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia — a diplomatic breakthrough now recognized globally as the KL Peace Accord.
Speaking at the historic signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Trump, who arrived in Malaysia earlier today, commended Anwar for his remarkable leadership and described him as “a great historic figure” for his success in securing a ceasefire and preventing further escalation along the Thailand–Cambodia border.
Trump said Anwar’s efforts went far beyond regional diplomacy — they safeguarded thousands of lives, restored regional stability, and reignited faith in ASEAN’s collective strength. “Prime Minister Anwar brought two leaders together who had been in armed conflict just months ago. His wisdom, calm, and courage have prevented violence from spreading and reassured the entire region,” Trump noted during his speech.
The KL Peace Accord was formally signed by Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, with both Trump and Anwar witnessing the momentous event. The accord, titled “Delivering Peace — Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal,” marks a significant turning point in ASEAN’s history of conflict resolution.
Trump shared that he had personally reached out to Anwar during the height of the crisis, suggesting Malaysia as a neutral ground for peace talks. “I called him right at the beginning and said, ‘You have two countries fighting right next to you — we need a neutral place.’ And he stepped up immediately,” Trump recalled.
True to his word, Trump made his first official visit to Malaysia in a decade, fulfilling a promise he made to Anwar: “If you get this solved, I’ll come to your country.”
The roots of this conflict stretch back decades, with disputes over the 817-kilometre shared border between Thailand and Cambodia often flaring into skirmishes. The latest confrontation in July 2025 saw the risk of wider escalation — until Anwar intervened. On July 28, he hosted a high-stakes meeting in Putrajaya that brought both sides to a ceasefire agreement, effectively halting military action and ensuring civilian safety.
The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), attended by high-level officials including Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The U.S. delegation was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan.
Beyond politics and protocol, today’s event reflected something far greater — the human power of dialogue, empathy, and leadership. In a world often divided by conflict, Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomacy stands as a reminder that peace is never impossible when courage meets compassion. His actions not only changed the course of two nations but also revived hope for a more united ASEAN — and a more peaceful world.
