Phnom Penh, 26 August 2026 — Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, on Wednesday received Hon. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, for a courtesy call and bilateral talks.
 
The meeting took place at the National Assembly Palace on the sidelines of the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2), hosted by the Senate of Cambodia from 26 to 28 August 2026.
 
Samdech Khuon Sudary warmly welcomed Hon. Johari and his delegation to Cambodia. She described Cambodia and Malaysia as old friends and reliable partners that have consistently supported each other.
 
She extended her congratulations to Malaysia in advance of the country’s 69th Independence Day on 31 August. She also described Hon. Johari as a longstanding friend who knows and understands Cambodia well.
 
The year 2026 marks the 69th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Malaysia, established in August 1957. Samdech noted that cooperation has expanded across trade, investment, agriculture, energy, connectivity and technology.
 
She also congratulated the Parliament of Malaysia on successfully hosting the 46th AIPA General Assembly. She recalled the warm hospitality extended to her and the high-level Cambodian parliamentary delegation.
 
Samdech expressed the Cambodian people’s gratitude for Malaysia’s contribution to Cambodia’s peace process and national reconstruction. Malaysia contributed personnel to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia following the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements.
 
She also highly valued Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair in 2025. She particularly appreciated its role in facilitating dialogue towards a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
 
The special meeting hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on 28 July 2025 resulted in an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. ASEAN foreign ministers later commended Malaysia for facilitating the bilateral dialogue.
 
Hon. Johari thanked Samdech Khuon Sudary for the warm welcome and hospitality. He said returning to Cambodia felt “like coming home.”
 
He expressed Malaysia’s full support for ISC-2 and highlighted its role in establishing the conference. He said parliamentary leaders should meet and exchange views to help build a better world, complementing the work of the executive branches.
 
Hon. Johari said the conference could bring about positive change through interactive dialogue, communication and effective policy design. He also stressed that Cambodia–Malaysia relations have continued to strengthen and deepen.
 
Both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the ASEAN spirit. They agreed that regional issues should be addressed through dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful means.
 
Samdech Khuon Sudary stressed the importance of peacefully settling disputes and maintaining regional peace and stability. She noted that global uncertainties are rising, international cooperation remains limited and the deficit of trust continues to widen.
 
She said parliamentary diplomacy should promote dialogue, negotiation and respect for international law. It should also contribute to an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral system.
 
Against this backdrop, Samdech said ISC-2’s focus on peace and international law is timely and relevant. Parliamentary leaders can make a meaningful contribution to regional and global peace.
 
The two leaders welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral economic cooperation. They encouraged stronger cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, green energy, infrastructure, science and technology, innovation, and the fight against cybercrime.
 
Both sides also noted the growth of economic and people-to-people ties. Samdech highlighted the contribution of Malaysian investment to Cambodia’s economic development, with more than 10,000 Malaysians living, working and investing in Cambodia.
 
Many Cambodians are working in Malaysia, while an increasing number of Cambodian patients seek medical treatment there. These connections have helped bring the two peoples closer together.
 
Samdech Khuon Sudary underlined the need to strengthen economic resilience, noting that economic security is closely linked to national security. She encouraged greater self-reliance alongside deeper international integration and connectivity.
 
The two sides also welcomed cooperation in education and human-resource development. Malaysia has provided training to Cambodian officials and educational opportunities to Cambodian students.
 
The two parliaments have consistently supported each other through regional and international parliamentary platforms. Samdech encouraged more frequent exchanges between their leaders, specialized commissions, friendship groups and secretariats.
 
Hon. Johari stressed the importance of nurturing future leaders, particularly university students. He encouraged young people to learn the values of peace and harmony, build friendships with neighbouring countries and participate in youth parliament programmes.
 
He observed that building a nation and nurturing friendship take time, while both can be destroyed very quickly. He therefore called for sustained efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual appreciation among younger generations.