Anwar's leadership crucial in ASEAN's conflict test

Focus Malaysia

2 days ago

THE violent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have thrust Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into the spotlight not just as a concerned regional leader, but as the current Chair of ASEAN.
With at least nine civilians dead, multiple injuries, airstrikes, and diplomatic relations downgraded, this conflict is no longer a bilateral issue but it is a regional crisis that demands a strong, strategic response.
Anwar's actions now will shape both the trajectory of this conflict and ASEAN's credibility as a peace-promoting institution.
So far, Anwar has taken the first step: calling for peace and reaching out to his counterparts in both countries. But expressions of concern, while important, are not sufficient.
The region has already seen the cost of delayed and passive diplomacy in Myanmar. Anwar must lead ASEAN beyond this pattern of cautious disengagement.
As ASEAN Chair, Anwar should immediately call for an emergency ASEAN Summit or a Special Meeting of Foreign Ministers specifically on the Thailand-Cambodia crisis.
This forum would allow for ASEAN to consolidate its position and craft a unified message, one that pushes both countries toward de-escalation while offering concrete mechanisms for negotiation.
Anwar should also advocate for the activation of ASEAN's long-neglected peace mechanisms particularly the High Council under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). This body was created to mediate disputes and prevent armed conflict among member states.
By invoking the TAC, Anwar would give Thailand and Cambodia a diplomatic channel to resolve the dispute without either side appearing to back down under external pressure.
Furthermore, Malaysia could push for the deployment of neutral ASEAN observers to monitor the border and ensure both sides adhere to a ceasefire, should one be agreed upon. This would be a confidence-building measure and a sign of ASEAN's seriousness in preventing further bloodshed.
Malaysia's historically strong bilateral relations with both Thailand and Cambodia uniquely position Anwar to act as a trusted intermediary.
While public statements are necessary, Anwar can also engage in quiet, backchannel diplomacy that offering Kuala Lumpur as a neutral ground for talks, or sending senior Malaysian diplomats as envoys to both sides.
Anwar's political standing and reputation as a reform-minded leader give him the credibility to be seen as an impartial peacemaker. If anyone in ASEAN can speak frankly with both Bangkok and Phnom Penh and still maintain diplomatic goodwill, it is him.
The Myanmar civil conflict should serve as a warning for Anwar and ASEAN. The regional bloc's slow, hands-off approach in that crisis allowed violence and instability to deepen. ASEAN's credibility suffered, and its 'Five-Point Consensus' remains largely unfulfilled.
If similar inertia defines the response to the Thailand-Cambodia border clash, ASEAN risks further diminishing its relevance and worse, normalizing violence as a method of dispute resolution within the bloc.
Anwar must ensure that ASEAN does not repeat this mistake. Unlike the Myanmar military junta, both Thailand and Cambodia remain engaged in ASEAN and have signalled interest in resolving the issue. This makes the current conflict more solvable but only with active, early intervention.
This moment is not just a test for ASEAN; it is a personal and diplomatic test for Anwar. His leadership can either push ASEAN into a new era of proactive conflict management or allow it to slide further into irrelevance.
By spearheading regional dialogue, activating ASEAN's mediation tools, and using Malaysia's bilateral influence wisely, Anwar can broker not just a ceasefire, but a process that de-escalates tensions in a lasting way. He can help ASEAN evolve from a passive observer to a responsible regional actor.
In doing so, Anwar would not only serve Malaysia's national interest in a stable neighbourhood but he would leave a mark as a transformative ASEAN Chair who chose leadership over hesitation, peace over politics, and decisive diplomacy over delayed response.
The opportunity is rare. The responsibility is great. And the time to act is now. ‒ July 25, 2025
R Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Nation Thailand