Malaysian PM appoints former Thai PM Thaksin as ASEAN adviser

(CLO) On December 16, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an unofficial "personal advisor" to support Malaysia in its role as ASEAN chair in 2025.

Mr. Anwar shared that he trusted the rich political experience of Mr. Thaksin, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006.

Mr Thaksin will be supported by a team of members from several ASEAN countries and will participate in an informal structure, with the aim of providing expertise and ideas on regional issues.

In a press conference after meeting with current Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Mr. Anwar thanked Mr. Thaksin and the Thai government for their agreement on this. "We need the experience of politicians like Mr. Thaksin to lead ASEAN," Mr. Anwar said.

In addition, Mr. Anwar also affirmed Malaysia's strong commitment to increasing trade and investment with Thailand, with the target of reaching 30 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2027.

The two sides also signed memorandums of understanding on cultural, arts and heritage cooperation, as well as cooperation in the economic sector and rubber industry, to promote bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand.

Ngoc Anh (according to The Star, FMT, Malay mail)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-malaysia-bo-nhiem-cuu-thu-tuong-thai-lan-thaksin-lam-co-van-ve-asean-post325885.html