Peace broker PMX mocked for “global level spinning” after Thai premier rejects his 10pm ceasefire call

 

PERHAPS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should let both Thailand and Cambodia settle their differences on their own terms lest be seen or worse, accused of meddling in the sovereign affairs of others despite his good intention.

In other words, the outgoing ASEAN 2025 chairman should ensure that any third-party role to broker peace should remain strictly facilitative – not directive – and must not replace the responsibility of the parties directly concerned.

This follows confusion and subsequent denial a.k.a. diplomatic misstep stemming from PMX’s so-called goodwill-driven instruction to the so-called warring parties.

Recalled that PMX had on Dec 13 stated that he had held separate calls with Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet following his discussion with US President Donald Trump in light of continued tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

In conveying Malaysia’s deep concern over the escalating conflict, he urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint, cease all forms of hostilities and refrain from any further military actions, including the use of force or forward movement of armed units with effect from at 22:00 (UTC+7) on Dec 13.

However, the “22:00 (UTC+7) on Dec 13” was viewed as contentious by the Thai side with its premier Charnvirakul reportedly rejected the deemed ceasefire call while sharing PMX’s message on his Facebook denying that he (PMX) has mentioned ceasefire but merely “my suggestion to cease any provocations from 10pm”.

With few Madani backers coming to defend PMX, detractors are seemingly having a field day capitalising on this chain of events to mock PMX for what can be surmised as “global spinning”.

Two of Madani biggest critics – pro-opposition blogger Ratu Naga a.k.a. Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah and former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director Datuk Eric See-To – have poured scorn on PMX’s apparent denial as “he’s internationalising his skills” and “international level kelentong (bluff) has occurred” respectively.

Former DAP Bukit Bintang MP and prominent Madani critic Wee Choo Keong described the whole episode as “a rare, very public diplomatic snub”. “Hard to spin this as anything but an embarrassment on the international stage,” he reacted on X.

Even pro-Madani think tank EMIR Research founder Datuk Wira Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff cautioned that the matter “has to be handled with great care in ASEAN spirit” for Malaysia cannot afford to be seen as “the Deputy Sheriff of @realDonaldTrump’s USA!”

Opposition-slant political influencer Siditious (@Solisidtor) reckoned that Thailand and Cambodia should be let alone to resolve their differences with the help of United Nations (UN).

“Since when did Anwar assume the role of UN? This can be construed as an interference. No need to be a hero! Focus on your own backyard!” chided the lawyer by profession.

Elsewhere, few Thai citizens also appealed to PMX not to play hero hy intervening in the on-going Thai-Cambodia conflict. 

- focus malaysia