AKP Phnom Penh, October 16, 2025 -- Cambodia and Malaysia have formally cemented their growing military relationship with the signing of a key cooperation agreement, capping a four-day official visit by a high-level Cambodian defence delegation to Kuala Lumpur.

H.E. General Mao Sophan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, led the delegation, which was authorised by Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence and the RCAF High Command. The visit, which ran from Oct. 13 to 16, emphasised a mutual desire to deepen bilateral defence and security ties.

The trip's agenda included several high-profile engagements. H.E. General Mao Sophan conducted a courtesy call on Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and held in-depth bilateral talks with his counterpart, General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, Commander of the Malaysian Army. 

The Cambodian team also gained operational insights during a visit to the Malaysian Army’s elite 10th Parachute Brigade.

The central achievement of the visit was the signing of a Terms of Reference (TOR) agreement between the Royal Cambodian Army and the Malaysian Army. The document establishes a framework for expanded military cooperation, specifically outlining collaboration in personnel exchanges; joint training exercises; as well as mutually beneficial activities. 

Both military commanders hailed the TOR as a pivotal milestone, characterising it as the start of a "new chapter" in army-to-army relations. They stressed that the agreement will serve as the foundation for practical, enhanced collaboration moving forward.

The new TOR aims to reinforce long-standing trust between the two nations and ultimately contribute to regional peace and stability.

By K. Rithy Reak