VERBATIM TEXT

REMARKS BY

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE

SIGNING OF CAMBODIA – THAILAND PEACE DEAL

(KL ACCORDS)

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for giving us this honour and on behalf, of course, Malaysia and our colleagues in ASEAN, I must thank you for your concern, for your empathy, and for your commitment to support this peace deal.

When I first received your call, and then urging me to do more, supporting our initiative, and you personally did call both Prime Ministers to urge for a speedy peace settlement, I would say a great thank you.

And we, of course, we admire your tenacity, your courage, because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly and to achieve that, you have to break some rules, as you did today.

When the President arrives, he asked me to join him in the car. I said, “that’s against the security and protocol rules” and he was delighted to break the rules.

It was a nice ride and we share lots of things in common. I was in prison, but he almost got there (said jokingly). But very good exchanges on a number of issues of course, priorities, of course, the peace deal.

Thank you, both Prime Ministers, you did a great job. We are delighted to have you as colleagues, as true friends, and you understand the need to secure peace, to save our people, and the ASEAN position as a region of peace and prosperity.

I must also share with you here that I took the full opportunity, without Secretary Marco Rubio knowing this, exploring other issues too, and thank the President for his effort to secure peace in many parts of the world, including Gaza, and urging him to remain focused and ensure that there’s comprehensive peace that the world requires.

And I am delighted, truly, President, to hear from you personally how determined you are to ensure that peace is achieved in the most intractable areas. Almost, almost impossible, but you did it. And we have shown our support and call on the United States, in particular, to continue this with the support of many not only neighbours, but the world.

I must also take this opportunity to thank Secretary Marco Rubio, Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan, because they were very helpful. I mean, you didn’t say that. I must say that, because they were extremely helpful in ensuring that you come here.

I mean, I wasn’t sure when you said to me, “Yes, Prime Minister Anwar, I’m coming.” Well, I’m not sure, because you know, I deal with a lot of politicians but you are an exception.

Thank you, Mr. Donald Trump.

Thank you very much again.