PUTRAJAYA — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will serve as his personal advisor when Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship next year.
According to Free Malaysia Today, the announcement came during a press conference with Thailand’s current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was on an official visit to Malaysia.
“I have agreed to appoint Thaksin as my personal advisor as chairman of ASEAN,” Anwar stated, noting that Thaksin would be supported by a team comprising members from various ASEAN nations in an informal capacity. Addressing Prime Minister Paetongtarn, who is Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Anwar expressed gratitude for the arrangement, citing the value of experienced statesmen.
The meeting between the two prime ministers proved productive, with both leaders signing key agreements to strengthen bilateral ties. They established an ambitious trade target of US$30 billion by 2027 and signed two Memorandums of Understanding – one focusing on rubber industry development and economic cooperation, and another on cultural heritage collaboration.
During their discussions, both leaders addressed pressing regional issues, including recurring floods along the border areas, particularly near Sungai Golok. They agreed to work on long-term solutions and improve infrastructure connectivity to facilitate trade and strengthen people-to-people relations.
Thaksin’s appointment comes after his recent return to public life in Thailand. The former prime minister, who led Thailand from 2001 to 2006 before being ousted in a military coup, spent 15 years in self-imposed exile. He returned to Thailand in August 2023 and, after serving six months of a reduced one-year sentence, was released on parole in February 2024.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasized that her visit aimed to reinforce the importance of Thai-Malaysian relations and expand collaboration between the two nations. The meeting concluded with an invitation for Anwar to visit Thailand in the near future, underlining the commitment to regular diplomatic engagement between the neighboring countries.
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