(Phnom Penh) – Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen received a courtesy call from Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia, at the Senate on Thursday (June 19, 2025).
During the meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen warmly welcomed the Malaysian minister and his delegation on their visit to Cambodia. He emphasised that the visit was an important contribution to further enhancing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Cambodia, particularly in the fields of tourism and culture.
Minister Tiong expressed his gratitude to Samdech Techo for allowing him and his delegation to pay a courtesy call. He noted the tourism potential between the two countries, highlighting the increasing number of Cambodian tourists visiting Malaysia over the past year, as well as the growth in Malaysian visitors to Cambodia.
Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing sought further advice from Samdech Techo on promoting the tourism sector between the two nations.
For his part, Samdech Techo proposed expanding tourism cooperation by facilitating easier travel for tourists, which he described as a key element in strengthening people-to-people ties.
Samdech Techo proposed expanding direct flight routes from Malaysia to Cambodia. In addition to flights to Phnom Penh, he recommended increasing connections to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk to support the development of the tourism sector and further strengthen bilateral relations.
He emphasised the importance of deepening people-to-people exchanges as part of the broader effort to enhance economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Samdech Techo also requested that the Malaysian minister convey a message regarding the Cambodia–Thailand border issue to Anwar Ibrahim, the current ASEAN Chair. He explained the true nature of the recent border conflict, particularly the incident on 28 May in which Cambodian soldiers were killed. He described it as an act of provocation and aggression against Cambodia.
Samdech Techo further elaborated on Thailand’s unilateral actions, including the closure of border crossings and threats to cut electricity and internet services. Samdech condemned the insults directed at Cambodian migrant workers and affirmed that Cambodia had responded promptly and would not tolerate foreign threats or disrespect toward its people, nation, and territorial integrity.
To provide a clear picture of the situation, Samdech Techo urged the Malaysian minister to relay Cambodia’s message to the Malaysian Prime Minister, who currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship.
Samdech Techo also highlighted Cambodia’s peaceful mechanisms for resolving conflicts, stressing the country’s commitment to bilateral dialogue. However, due to the ineffectiveness of such negotiations, Cambodia has decided to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), following long-established international legal procedures. He called on the ASEAN Chair to support Cambodia’s lawful approach, emphasizing that Cambodia seeks to avoid conflict with neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, he stated that if aggression continues, Cambodia will defend itself and may launch a counteroffensive.
He concluded that this is the key reason Cambodia has decided to take the case to the ICJ rather than involving ASEAN directly, in order to avoid placing a burden on the regional bloc. This legal pathway is intended to ensure fairness and international support.
In response, the Malaysian Minister of Tourism said he will convey Cambodia’s message to the Malaysian Prime Minister, who serves as the current ASEAN Chair, for consideration.
=FRESH NEWS
