Ly Thuch, first vice president of Cambodia’s mine action authority, said the country’s mine problem was particularly complex along the Cambodia–Thailand border, where contamination was heavy and clearance would require considerable time and resources.
He made the remarks during talks with Malaysia’s ambassador to Cambodia, Shaharuddin Onn, on August 21.
Ly Thuch said Cambodia was continuing to clear mines according to established priorities, focusing on populated areas and stretches where the border with Thailand was clearly demarcated.
Shaharuddin Onn praised the Cambodian government’s demining efforts and achievements and its earlier leadership under the Ottawa Convention. He acknowledged the scale of the work required to make land safe for Cambodians.
The ambassador said that following the recent armed conflict, Malaysia, as ASEAN chair and a friend of both countries, had helped broker a ceasefire with participation from the United States and China. He said Malaysia would keep working to sustain the ceasefire and restore peace between Cambodia and Thailand.
Senior Minister Ly Thuch thanked Malaysia for facilitating the ceasefire. He also thanked Malaysian organizations that had previously supported mine action, including Khmer Times, the Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC) and Maybank.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television. By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
