The agreement follows a meeting here attended by Anwar, Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet, and Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, amid an ongoing conflict which entered its fifth day today and has claimed at least 35 lives.
“Both Cambodia and Thailand have reached a common understanding … for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from midnight,” said Anwar at a joint press conference with the two leaders.
“This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.”
He said the two sides have also agreed to resume direct communications between their prime ministers, foreign ministers and defence ministers.
The foreign and defence ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification and reporting of the ceasefire.
“This mechanism will serve as the foundation for sustained peace and accountability,” said Anwar.
He said both leaders agreed to convene an informal meeting of regional commanders tomorrow morning, followed by a meeting with defence attachés subject to mutual agreement by both sides.
Both leaders will also convene a meeting of the general border committee to be hosted by Cambodia on Aug 4.
Anwar said the meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand to uphold the principles of international law, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation in pursuit of a “just and lasting” resolution to the situation.
Phumtham said he hoped the ceasefire would be carried out “in good faith” by both countries.
“Thailand wants a peaceful resolution,” he said.
Hun Manet said he hoped the solutions Anwar announced will pave the way for open bilateral discussions and serve as the foundation for future de-escalation of forces.
He thanked Anwar for setting up the “urgent, timely” meeting and his efforts to mediate an immediate ceasefire between the two countries.
Today’s meeting, brokered by Malaysia as the chair of Asean this year, was held to de-escalate rising tensions after the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade.
More than 35 people have been killed and over 270,000 displaced in both countries since the latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817km stretch of their shared border.
Tensions between the two Asean nations have been simmering since May 28 after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, about 360km from Bangkok.
Anwar called both leaders separately last Friday, appealing to them to seek an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue to resolve their dispute.
Also present at today’s meeting were US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
US president Donald Trump said he believed both Thailand and Cambodia would settle their differences after he told the two leaders he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended their fighting.