Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s move to appoint former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his “informal adviser” when Kuala Lumpur takes over as Asean chair in 2025 has caused a stir in Malaysia.

And while some see it as strategic for the country to tap the experience of the 75-year-old Thai leader and possibly other political bigwigs on regional issues, especially the crisis in Myanmar, others are sceptical about turning to a foreign politician for advice, and a controversial one at that.

“I have agreed to appoint (Thaksin) as my informal adviser on chairing Asean, with a team of members from Asean countries in an informal set-up,” said Datuk Seri Anwar, announcing the appointment during an official visit by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is Thaksin’s daughter, at the Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on Dec 16.

Thaksin, who returned to Thailand in 2023 after over a decade of self-exile to avoid criminal charges, cuts a controversial figure in that country, where he had been convicted of corruption and abuse of power.

Still, Malaysian officials and analysts have said that Thaksin’s influence not just in Thailand, but also in countries such as the United States and China could help Asean with challenges such as navigating US-China tensions or territorial spats in the South China Sea.

At the Dec 16 meeting with Ms Paetongtarn, Mr Anwar also proposed setting up an informal advisory group to the Asean chair, consisting of former Asean leaders. They will reportedly include Singapore’s former foreign minister, Mr George Yeo, according to local news outlet Malay Mail.

“Thaksin is influential in Thailand, is accepted by the US, and has a close relationship with China. This positions him as a bridge for Asean (to foster stronger ties),” Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan was quoted by Bernama as saying at a press briefing on the country’s Asean chairmanship in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 16.

But opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia’s information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari described the move as “unprecedented” and asked whether this move will benefit Asean or if it is for personal benefit to boost the image of the Malaysian premier in the international community.

“Since when does the head of state choose a former leader of another country as his personal adviser?” wrote Mr Ahmad in a statement on Dec 16.

“Usually, the head of the state will choose a diplomatic expert, a former foreign affairs minister, or an academic whose expertise is in international relations as an adviser. But this time, Anwar chooses a former prime minister who has been sentenced to jail in his own country for abuse of power and corruption,” wrote the Pasir Mas MP.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya on Dec 17, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad also questioned the choice, saying: “I don’t know why he (Anwar) chose him (Thaksin). We have many people (to choose from) and Thaksin has his own (legal) issues… (but) it’s Anwar’s right to appoint whoever he wants.”

Thaksin took office as Thailand’s 23rd prime minister in 2001, but his government was deposed in a military coup in 2006, and he fled the country in 2008. Even while abroad in self-exile, Thaksin remained influential in Thai politics through family members and allies who were part of various administrations.

Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was sentenced to jail for eight years, but this was later reduced to just a year by the King. He spent most of his time in hospital before he was released on parole.

Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said Mr Anwar’s choice can be seen as a gesture of neighbourly friendliness and solidarity.

Dr Ong Kian Ming, pro vice-chancellor of external engagement at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, said Thaksin’s experience could help Mr Anwar achieve certain objectives under Asean, such as a peace plan in Myanmar or reaching out to members of incoming US President Donald Trump’s administration to allay fears about Malaysia’s position vis-a-vis China and Russia.

Thai media reported in May that Thaksin has offered to be a mediator between Myanmar’s resistance and the military regime as during his premiership, he had established ties with the current junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Myanmar, which has been under military rule since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, has largely ignored calls by its South-east Asian neighbours to cease hostilities under what is known as the five-point consensus.

Nearly 6,000 people have been killed and 30,000 imprisoned in the war-torn country, with a third of its 55 million population in need of humanitarian aid as at August 2024.

Ms Kasthuri Prameswaren, associate faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, agreed that Thaksin would be a useful ally for Mr Anwar in pushing for peace in Myanmar, and said that the pair also share similar concerns relating to Thai-Muslim grievances, extremism and transnational crime.

But from a political point of view, Ms Kasthuri said, it is odd for Mr Anwar to turn to foreign leaders through an Asean advisory group, even one dubbed as informal, instead of Malaysia’s own diplomats or experts, noting that such a move has never happened before.

Dr Ong said: “This move can be a disadvantage if it is perceived as Anwar not having enough confidence in himself, his Cabinet and his civil service to achieve his desired goals during Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean.”

It is also unclear what roles such informal advisers play, how they will impact Asean’s decisions, and what they expect from Mr Anwar in return for their service, he added.

Dr Sufian Jusoh, a professor of international trade and investment at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, however, disagreed that Mr Anwar’s move discredits the confidence of the Prime Minister and of his Cabinet and government.

He said all hands need to be on deck given the many “heavy burdens” that Malaysia will have to carry as Asean chair, including US-China relations under Trump, relations with Russia and the Myanmar crisis.

“Perhaps this informal arrangement may be new, but we need to have expert opinions on these matters to advise the civil service and the government. And the opposition needs to be mindful of what it says, given the big things that are coming to us (Malaysia) in 2025.”

Asia News Network/The Straits Times