Malaysia’s appointment of Thaksin and Hun Sen as Anwar’s advisers raises eyebrows

Thaksin Shinawatra’s appointment took place during an official visit by Paetongtarn, the tycoon’s daughter and Thailand’s PM, to Malaysia

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Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and his daughter and PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrive before the royal endorsement ceremony in Bangkok in August. Photo: AP

Published: 6:24pm, 17 Dec 2024Updated: 7:20pm, 17 Dec 2024

Malaysia’s decision to appoint Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former Cambodian strongman Hun Sen as advisers to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has raised eyebrows given the controversies surrounding the two titans of Asean’s political scene.

On Monday, Anwar made the surprise announcement that the Thai billionaire had accepted his invitation to advise him when Malaysia takes over as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in January.

“Thank you for agreeing to this because we need the benefit of the experience of such a statesman,” Anwar said at a press conference in Putrajaya alongside Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, during her first official visit to Malaysia.

Anwar’s nemesis and two-time former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was sceptical when asked by reporters about Thaksin’s appointment.

“I don’t know why. Thaksin is problematic, but I don’t want to say anything,” he said on Tuesday, adding that it was Anwar’s “right to do what he wants”.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan earlier confirmed that Anwar would also consult “elder statesmen”, including former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.