Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today no immediate decision will be made on former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s role as his informal adviser on Asean affairs, pending discussions with Thailand’s new prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Anwar said he and Anutin had already spoken and had agreed to discuss the matter when Anutin visits Malaysia soon.
“There is no need to make any immediate decision until he comes to discuss cooperation with Thailand and Asean,” he told reporters after launching the 9th International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities today.
“Thaksin’s role will surely be limited because he is not able to give any views or cooperation.”
Thaksin was appointed by Anwar last year as an “informal adviser” on regional issues when Malaysia assumed the rotating Asean chairmanship.
The Thai Supreme Court ruled on Sept 9 that Thaksin must go back to serve a year in prison as both he and his doctors had intentionally prolonged his hospital stay with “unnecessary minor surgeries”.
Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean ends after the October summit, when it will be handed over to the Philippines.
Regarding Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, Anwar said Malaysia was ready to engage with fellow Islamic nations on the matter.
“The foreign minister (Mohamad Hasan) has already been in contact with his Qatari counterpart.
“If necessary, I will reach out to the Emir of Qatar (Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani) as well as other Muslim leaders, including Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince and prime minister Mohammed Salman, to consider whether such a meeting is required,” he said.
