Cambodia and Malaysia express deep appreciation for the growth of bilateral collaboration across economic, social and religious domains. 

In separate meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and his predecessor Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on December 23, Ahmad Azam Abrahman, special envoy of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, emphasised his government’s commitment to prevent extremists from exploiting Malaysian territory for political purposes against the Cambodian government.

According to Hun Sen’s social media post, the envoy conveyed Anwar’s appreciation for Cambodia’s efforts in fostering harmony in national and religious conditions for Muslims. Anwar also extended his thanks to Hun Sen – who remains president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and currently serves as head of the Supreme Privy Council to the King – and the government for creating opportunities for the Muslim community in Cambodia.

The envoy commended Cambodia’s progress under the CPP leadership, which he said has transformed the country into a flourishing nation, and specifically highlighted the “remarkable” growth of Phnom Penh.

“The collaboration between our two countries has grown stronger, with Malaysia asserting its stance against allowing anti-government groups to exploit its territory for political purposes against the Cambodian government,” said Ahmad.

Hun Sen thanked Malaysia for its ongoing support of the Muslim community in Cambodia and appreciated its commitment to preventing extremists from using their territory against the government.

He also provided Ahmad with insights into the current situation and developments in the peace process in Cambodia, while commending the progress of both nations under their respective government. They lauded the strong relationship and collaboration between the two countries across multiple domains.

Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), noted the robust trade relations between the two ASEAN member states, underscoring the substantial investments made by Malaysian investors in Cambodia.

“In the context of the ASEAN Economic Community, Malaysia stands as a valuable partner for Cambodia. The sharing of new investment laws with Malaysia can enhance further investment from the country, while also facilitating improved trade relations,” he said.

During bilateral meetings in October, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina engaged with Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. The discussions centred on Cambodian milled rice products, aiming to bolster food security and trade.

They jointly encouraged and supported investors from both nations to foster closer cooperation in agricultural investments.