News@9: Today's top headlines - July 24, 2025 [WATCH]
Border Clash
Thailand launched air strikes after Cambodian rocket fire killed a civilian, escalating a bitter border dispute over the Emerald Triangle.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged calm in the Thailand–Cambodia border dispute, seeking direct talks with both leaders to ease tensions.
Women Power
The Women's Centre for Change decried the lack of enforcement over a Penang doctor accused of sexual offences, urging authorities to act decisively and uphold patient safety.
Steer Clear
Civil servants were reminded to uphold neutrality and avoid political activities, including party symbols, office holding, or campaigning, unless formally authorised.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cambodia PM agrees to ceasefire proposed by Anwar
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has agreed to the ceasefire proposal with Thailand suggested by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a Facebook post today, Manet said he agreed to the ceasefire because Cambodia did not initiate the fighting. "The key to resolving the current armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is the genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept a ceasefire, which is the first step towards finding further solutions between the two countries," Manet said in his posting. Manet clarified that there was unclear reporting by various international media regarding the proposed ceasefire talks initiated by Anwar, the current Asean chair. Manet said he only agreed to the ceasefire after hearing from Anwar that Thailand's acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed to peace talks. But regrettably, the Thai side changed their position on the issue, he said in his posting. "However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position from agreeing to the ceasefire," said Manet. Anwar said he spoke to both prime ministers on resolving the ongoing conflict on Thursday. The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand escalated after soldiers from both sides engaged in a clash on Thursday morning along the Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear areas. The two neighbours have been quarrelling over an 817-km undemarcated border for decades, which has harmed diplomatic ties. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Malaysia won't ignore Thai-Cambodia conflict
ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the government is not taking lightly the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and its impact on Malaysia. Anwar said that although the situation in Malaysia remained stable and calm, the country must learn from the experiences of its neighbours. "I believe, as of now, the leaders of both countries appear ready (to cease attacks), but we must remain vigilant as the Asean region is geopolitically very strategic. "We in Malaysia do not take it lightly even though the situation in our country is stable and calm; we learn from the experiences of our neighbouring countries," he said when met by reporters after attending a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders from Perlis, Kedah and Penang here today. He said the conflict should also be addressed through diplomatic efforts, and both leaders had, in principle, agreed to halt the fighting, although there appeared to be some violations at the border. Anwar said he had contacted the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and was optimistic that both countries would stop the attacks to allow a peace process to take place. "They (the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia) have given very good cooperation…. Both prime ministers told me, 'Anwar, thank you very much, we accept your role and we want you to carry on'," said Anwar. The Prime Minister said he had also asked Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to contact the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia regarding the issue. Yesterday, Bernama reported that Anwar welcomed the positive signals and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh in considering a ceasefire to prevent further conflict at the border of the two countries. Anwar was reported to have contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Thursday afternoon to express Malaysia's concern over the escalating tensions. The media previously reported that Thai and Cambodian troops clashed on Thursday in a disputed border area, with both sides accusing each other of sparking the latest confrontation. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have risen since May 28 following a bloody incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Asean urged to tackle border crisis fuelled by scams, slavery and rising tensions
TENSIONS are soaring again at the 818km border between Thailand and Cambodia, with reports of gunfire exchanges and aerial surveillance shaking communities on both sides. While border disputes in the area are nothing new, especially around the Preah Vihear temple, this latest escalation is worrying, not just for Thailand and Cambodia, but for Asean. Asean was founded on Aug 8, 1967, by Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, with the shared purpose of promoting regional peace, stability and cooperation. Today, that founding spirit is being tested. But this is no ordinary military flare-up. The current stand-off is aggravated by the entrenchment of criminal economies in the borderlands. They must be demilitarised and decriminalised (D and D). Towns such as Poipet, O'Smach, and Ban Nong Ian have become synonymous with digital slavery and online scam syndicates. These centres — operating in defiance of national and international laws — trap thousands of individuals, often migrants or trafficking victims, in enslaved cybercrime. Underlying this militarised rivalry is a lawless economy that distorts development and destabilises state authority. The challenge now is twofold: to stop the fighting and to root out the criminal infrastructure sustaining it. Thus, a D and D strategy is key. Asean's other founding members — Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia — must take the lead in steering the region back toward peace. While Thailand is directly involved in the border confrontation, the remaining founding members possess both credibility and strategic experience. Indonesia's track record in Aceh, Singapore's diplomatic steadiness and the Philippines' continued efforts to manage conflict in Mindanao have all contributed to Asean's legacy of peacebuilding. Malaysia, for its part, has long pursued a policy of a quiet diplomacy in the South China Sea. It upholds its maritime rights while avoiding provocation and keeping the region free from great-power entrapment. That same quiet resolve must now be channelled into addressing the Thai-Cambodian border crisis. The international legal framework must also be respected. Cambodia is a signatory to the Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines. Allegations that landmines have been used along the border must be investigated thoroughly. More urgently, Asean must call for a global crackdown on the scam centres and digital slave-labour operations that have taken root along this frontier and elsewhere in Myanmar and Laos. These syndicates are integral to the escalation of instability. In many cases, they function with protection from corrupt officials or rogue security elements. Asean cannot allow parts of its territory to become sanctuaries for such lawlessness. If anything ASEANPOL, Europol and Interpol must all be permanent fixtures in this region. This is a regional emergency. Asean must form a high-level task force, with joint investigative and enforcement capacities, to dismantle these criminal economies. The demilitarisation of the border zones —particularly near the Preah Vihear temple — is equally essential. The International Court of Justice has ruled twice in favour of Cambodia, in 1962 and again in 2013, on the status of the temple. These rulings must be respected by both sides. Territorial grievances cannot be allowed to override legal commitments or regional peace. It is also encouraging that China, Japan and South Korea have called for restraint and dialogue. As key strategic partners of both Thailand and Cambodia, these countries' position remains aligned with Asean's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which enshrines negotiation and non-use of force. Asean must not wait for external powers to stabilise its backyard. This is a moment for regional leadership. Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia must close ranks, not through public grandstanding, but through active, behind-the-scenes diplomacy. The mechanisms of peace exist; what is required now is the will to activate them. History reminds us that once conflict ignites between neighbours with long, entangled pasts, it becomes harder to control. Asean was built to prevent such tragedies. Its founding members must again rise to that responsibility.
