Will Anwar dare to undo his bet on Thaksin—or is he already too invested?
Thailand has been thrust into political uncertainty following a Constitutional Court ruling on July 1, 2025, suspending Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a controversial phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
The incident triggered massive protests, alliances between formerly opposing “red” and “yellow” factions, and new calls for renewal of the constitution.
Now, attention is shifting south to Malaysia, where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces mounting scrutiny over his appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra—father of the suspended Thai premier—as an informal adviser to Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship.
Anwar’s decision to engage Thaksin—who meets him regularly, including aboard a luxury yacht in December 2024 near Langkawi—was long criticized as a miscalculation.
Critics argue Thaksin lacks official legitimacy, his legal troubles persist, and his influence may cloud ASEAN’s approach.
Indeed, his high‑stakes role raises questions about transparency and accountability, especially when Malaysia itself is struggling with judicial appointments and political erraticism.
Thaksin’s legacy in Thailand’s Deep South is controversial. Analysts note his hardline tactics—dismissing insurgents as “petty criminals” and leaning on military force—later prompted grave criticisms.
His daughter’s government inherited these grievances in February 2025, with no real attempt at justice, tainting attempts to soothe border regions. If Thaksin failed domestically, what legitimacy does he hold in advising Anwar on regional peace?
Legally, Thaksin remains in a precarious position. Although granted conditional travel permission—it came with bail, court approval, and lese‑majeste charges still ongoing.
The optics are troubling: Malaysia’s ASEAN outreach could be derailed if international partners view Malaysia’s envoy as compromised by what some see as a politically embattled figure.
Domestically, Anwar faces contradictory signals. He has extended contract terms for anti‑corruption chief Azam Baki three times, despite prior promises to prosecute him.
Meanwhile, key judicial leaders such as Tengku Maimun didn’t even received six‑month extension. Public perception is that Anwar picks and chooses who receives institutional support—a dangerous pattern that erodes public trust. His appointment of Thaksin fits the narrative: powerful allies gain favour, while institutional norms erode.
Should Anwar continue backing Thaksin, he risks reinforcing suspicions of dynastic politics and favoritism—just as Paetongtarn’s throne is challenged in Thailand. Voters in both countries may interpret this as an abuse of power, a choosing‑of‑sides that thwarts democratic values.
Anwar Ibrahim now stands at a crossroads. To defend his ASEAN chairmanship’s credibility, he must weigh national interest over personal alliances. He should publicly review and, if warranted, suspend Thaksin’s advisory role—especially while the father-daughter Shinawatra duo navigate a political crisis.
Failure to do so risks tarnishing Malaysia’s reputation in regional diplomacy and could inflame domestic discontent. Will Anwar dare to undo his bet on Thaksin—or is he already too invested?
Amir Al Fateh (malaydigest@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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