Indonesia sends two TNI personnel to Cambodia for ASEAN monitoring mission
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Two TNI personnel have been sent to Cambodia to carry out the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) mission, as a demonstration of Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining stability in the Southeast Asian region.
The two personnel, Lieutenant Colonel Devi Ibrohim and Major Rangga Hadi Saputra, arrived in Phnom Penh on 25 April 2026 to continue the monitoring mission for the implementation of the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, they were received by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim (KUAI) of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Krishnajie, on 26 April 2026.
“The presence of these two TNI personnel is to replace Colonel Hermawan Weharima and Lieutenant Colonel Sukmana Bayuaji, who have completed their assignment successfully, marking the continuity of Indonesia’s contribution to the regional monitoring mechanism,” the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh stated on Friday.
This assignment is part of Indonesia’s active role in supporting ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace and regional stability.
In the context of Cambodia-Thailand relations dynamics over the past year, the presence of a neutral and credible third party is considered crucial to ensure the effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement and to prevent potential conflict escalation, the embassy said.
Since joining on 10 September 2025, the Indonesian AOT team has played a role in monitoring the security situation, conducting field verifications, and providing objective reports to the relevant parties.
This role is not only technical but also strategic in building trust and maintaining transparency between countries.
The AOT is a continuation of the ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT), whose establishment was agreed upon at the Special Meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 28 July 2025.
This initiative arose from the need for a neutral and credible monitoring mechanism following the armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over the border territorial dispute.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the AOT were subsequently agreed upon at the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand on 26 October 2025, as the operational basis for carrying out tasks in the field.
“For Indonesia, involvement in the AOT reflects a sustained commitment to promoting peaceful conflict resolution and strengthening the regional security architecture. The contribution of TNI personnel in the field is a tangible manifestation of Indonesia’s active and constructive defence diplomacy,” the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh concluded.