'Thank you PM Anwar for the fantastic job': Trump praises Anwar for Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire

Fantastic job.

Zhi Ning Wong

August 04, 2025, 06:49 PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that U.S. President Donald Trump praised Malaysia’s role in mediating peace between Thailand and Cambodia.

"He said: 'Thank you Prime Minister Anwar for the fantastic job in bringing both Cambodian and Thai prime ministers together and securing a lasting peace,’” Anwar said at an event on Aug. 2, referring to comments the U.S. president made during a phone call a couple days before.

"Three times he used the word fantastic," he added, as quoted by New Straits Times.

Malaysia praised “from Washington to London”

Although Thailand initially rejected mediation offers from third countries, including the U.S., China and Malaysia, it later expressed openness to dialogue facilitated by Asean or Malaysia.

On Jul. 28, Anwar, as the current Asean chair, hosted a special meeting at his official residence, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai in attendance.

The two-and-a-half-hour meeting marked the first in-person dialogue between the two leaders since tensions flared between their countries on Jul. 24.

The talk ended with them agreeing to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire.

During his recent speech, Anwar noted that the success was a joint effort by Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, its armed forces and its leadership.

"Alhamdulillah, a ceasefire was achieved. Malaysia's name is now being spoken of from Washington to London, with people talking about our success in uniting Asean and achieving peace.”

To facilitate further talks

To monitor the situation, Anwar added that he was still in contact with Hun Manet, who asked Malaysia to facilitate further talks.

"I am still keeping in touch with Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia.
I asked him about the situation and he said, 'Thank you very much Prime Minister, there is no fighting.'”

He further stated that the Thai and Cambodian Defence Ministers are to meet in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 4 to further their discussions on securing lasting peace.

“President of PEACE”

The five days of hostilities saw the worst fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leaving at least 35 killed and over 270,000 displaced, according to The Guardian.

Previously, Trump stated that he had spoken with leaders of both countries and threatened to deny them a trade deal unless they reached a ceasefire, possibly subjecting them to a 36 per cent U.S. tariff after the Aug. 1 deadline.

Following the ceasefire deal, Trump congratulated the two nations on Truth Social.

“I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE,” he posted.

Making no mention of Anwar, he continued, “I have now ended many Wars in just six months – I am proud to be the President of PEACE!”