On December 27, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Facebook that he had met with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and appointed him as an informal adviser to Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, a role Malaysia will officially assume early next year.
Anwar expressed delight in meeting his "beloved friend" Thaksin and noted the productive discussions on various regional issues. Thaksin's appointment as an informal adviser was emphasized as leveraging his regional network and expertise to address key challenges.
The discussions focused on critical topics, including economic recovery, adoption of new technologies, peacebuilding in Southern Thailand, and resolving the crisis in Myanmar. Anwar highlighted that Thaksin’s regional connections and unique skills could provide invaluable opportunities for Malaysia and ASEAN to tackle these challenges effectively and confidently.
Additionally, the two leaders discussed strengthening the already robust bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand, aligning with their shared vision of sustainable development and regional cooperation. Anwar noted that he and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra share a commitment to these goals.
Anwar concluded by affirming that, over decades, he and Thaksin have shared a belief in the potential of Malaysia and Thailand to achieve mutual goals that benefit not only the two nations but also the wider region. He expressed a strong determination to turn this vision into reality.
Photos of Anwar and Thaksin were included in the post, though the specific location of their meeting was not disclosed.