In a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that President Donald Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his alleged role in brokering a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, following several days of deadly clashes along their shared border. The conflict, which erupted on July 24, had already claimed at least 35 lives before both sides agreed to halt hostilities.
But if anyone truly deserves to be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize in this instance, the spotlight should fall elsewhere — on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Let’s look at the facts.
Anwar Chaired the Critical Ceasefire Meeting
The breakthrough that led to the ceasefire came during a historic meeting at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, Malaysia, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim himself. This was the first face-to-face meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai since tensions flared.
The significance of this meeting cannot be overstated. Hosting both leaders in neutral territory, Anwar personally facilitated the dialogue and set the tone for a peaceful resolution. The ceasefire announcement came immediately following this meeting — not from Washington, not from Mar-a-Lago, but from Putrajaya.
Acknowledged by Those Who Matter
In a Facebook post, Cambodian leader Hun Manet praised the outcome of the talks as a “brilliant result”, and explicitly thanked Anwar Ibrahim for initiating and hosting the dialogue. That direct appreciation speaks volumes about who played the most critical role in ending the bloodshed.
This was not diplomatic lip service. When parties to a conflict name and thank a mediator, it is usually because that individual had a decisive impact.
Not Just Presence — Leadership
Yes, both the United States and China were involved in organising the talks — and both were mentioned in the joint statement released after the meeting. But even that joint statement acknowledged Malaysia’s active participation. More importantly, it was Anwar Ibrahim who chaired the meeting and guided the parties toward peace.
In post-meeting developments, Malaysia has been given a continuing role. The foreign and defence ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand have been instructed to develop a mechanism for implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire.
In other words, Malaysia isn’t just a neutral host — it’s the only third-party country involved in shaping and safeguarding the peace framework moving forward.
That’s far more than symbolic involvement. That’s leadership.
Give Credit Where It’s Due
This episode should serve as a reminder that peace efforts — especially in Southeast Asia — often take place through quiet diplomacy, regional trust, and personal credibility. Anwar Ibrahim brought all three to the table in Putrajaya.
It is Anwar Ibrahim — the leader who facilitated the talks, hosted the meeting, gained the trust of both parties, and secured a peace that might just hold.
If the White House truly wants to promote peace, maybe it should start by acknowledging those who actually did the most to achieve, and forward Anwar's name, instead of Trump, as the most deserving person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, for quickly and effectively working out the framework of peace between Thailand and Cambodia.
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