Analysts Decry Anwar’s ‘Surrender’ of ASEAN Trade Independence in Ceasefire Trade-Off

Kuala Lumpur – Regional experts have unleashed a torrent of criticism against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, labeling the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire a “diplomatic surrender” that traded ASEAN’s economic autonomy for U.S. favors, as fresh border violations threaten to collapse the hard-won truce.

In a series of op-eds and think-tank reports, analysts from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and Channel News Asia argued that Anwar’s mediation—culminating in the October Kuala Lumpur accord—prioritized American interests over regional solidarity. The deal obligated Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia to align with U.S. foreign policy in future trade pacts, including rare earth supplies to bypass China’s dominance. “This isn’t peace; it’s a coup for Washington’s proxy war,” wrote one ISEAS fellow, pointing to the July 29 ceasefire’s immediate breaches as proof of inadequate ground enforcement.

Critics highlight ignored calls for robust ASEAN observation teams, with skirmishes like the November 10 landmine blast exposing the pact’s fragility. Malaysian opposition MP Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) grilled Anwar in parliament, questioning how the process allowed U.S. tariff threats to dictate terms. “We’ve handed our trade independence on a platter,” Shahidan charged, echoing broader sentiment that Anwar’s “acumen” masked capitulation.

Anwar countered that Malaysia imposed no conditions, emphasizing both nations’ confidence in his neutral role. “Criticism is democracy’s spice,” he quipped. Yet, as Thailand halts implementation, pundits warn this could tarnish Anwar’s 2025 ASEAN legacy, fueling perceptions of meddling in Southeast Asia’s affairs and weakening bloc cohesion against great-power rivalries.