Thaksin’s adviser role on hold pending talks


PUTRAJAYA: It is still too early to decide on the role of Thaksin Shinawatra as Asean’s informal adviser, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said this is because the 76-year-old former Thai premier has just been impri­soned.

“I have spoken with the new Prime Minister Anutin (Charn­virakul) and he agreed that he will discuss it when he comes.

“There is no need to make any immediate decisions until he comes here soon to discuss cooperation with Thailand and Asean.

“Thaksin’s role will surely be limited because he is not free to give any views,” said Anwar after an event here yesterday evening.

Thaksin was appointed as Anwar’s informal adviser in December last year when Malaysia took over the regional bloc’s chairmanship.

However, Thaksin began his first full day in prison after a court ruled that he had improperly served a previous jail term in hospital.

Thaksin had returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade of political exile to escape an eight-year jail sentence for corruption and abuse of power.

This sentence was reduced to one year by royal pardon and he was later freed in an early release scheme for the elderly.

Anutin, 58, became Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister on Sunday after receiving royal endorsement to replace Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Anwar said the situation in Thailand and Indonesia has stabilised and should not affect investor confidence in Asean.

“Yesterday, I was on the phone with Prabowo (Subianto) and things are almost back to normal.

“We have not seen any negative reactions from investors and we hope that they will continue to place confidence in Asean.”

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