Thaksin Backs Malaysia’s ASEAN Leadership In Tackling Myanmar Crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed confidence in Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair in resolving the Myanmar conflict, four years after the military coup in February 2021.

Thaksin, appointed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in December last year as the informal adviser for Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, revealed that “he has got down to work to assist and advise” Anwar. 

He described Anwar as a “good man with a sharp mind who sees things from a wide and detailed perspective.’’

In an exclusive interview with Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai in Bangkok recently, Thaksin agreed that Myanmar is the “elephant in the room” for ASEAN.

Saying Malaysia will do a good job as the regional bloc’s chairman, the 75-year-old said he has started to meet the various resistance group key leaders in efforts to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar, which has raged for over four years.

“They came with a long list of demands, but I told them to return with a shorter list, which must be pragmatic.

“The Myanmar junta also needs to adopt a more inclusive approach to bring in these groups before talking of holding a general election, which may end up not being recognised, it will be waste then,” he warned.

The Thai media reported that Thaksin met the Shan State Reconstruction Council and Shan State Army leaders in Chiangmai in March and April.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military launched its cataclysmic coup against the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. 

Over the past four years, more than 6,000 civilians have been killed by the military, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

He said under Anwar’s leadership Malaysia will do a good job as the regional bloc’s chairman.

Meanwhile, Thaksin suggested that it would be good if ASEAN could “concede a little bit” if the army junta agreed to engage with the various ethnic groups.

He agreed with Anwar that all sides needed to engage in talks as a way of defusing the conflict.

Meanwhile, Thaksin proposed and recommended ASEAN adopt a cryptocurrency, adding that the 10-member bloc must not miss the opportunity as United States President Donald Trump was expected to push for a wider use.

“Trump has openly expressed his support for Bitcoin and other digital currencies, so ASEAN needs to study how we move forward so we do not get left behind,’’ he said.

Last month, Trump called for the establishment of a working group to propose new digital asset regulations and explore the creation of a national cryptocurrency stockpile.

On geopolitical rivalries between the US and China, Thaksin said ASEAN is aware of the complexities but emphasised that the bloc has always upheld its commitment to neutrality.

“The US has been our ally for a long time, but China is our neighbour. It would be good if the US engaged more with ASEAN,” he said when asked whether a second Trump administration would show greater interest in the region.

With a population of over 600 million and a total gross domestic product (GDP) exceeding US$3 trillion, Thaksin said ASEAN deserves greater attention.

Since his appointment, Thaksin and Anwar have met twice – in late December and early February – to discuss various important matters, including the situation in Myanmar, pioneering peace efforts in Southern Thailand, as well as the development of cryptocurrencies.

--BERNAMA