00:00Foreign Minister Mohamed Hassan and a backbencher have defended Anwar Ibrahim's move to appoint
00:06Thaksin Chinawat as a personal advisor as the prime minister takes on the ASEAN chairmanship
00:11next year.
00:12Mohamed, also known as Thothmat, said the former Thai prime minister could foster greater
00:17cooperation between ASEAN and global powers, Brunama reported.
00:22He pointed out that Thaksin is an influential figure in Thailand, is accepted by the US,
00:27has a close relationship with China, and is a long-time associate of Anwar.
00:31Separately, Thabraw MP Jimmy Pua slammed PAS for criticizing Thaksin's appointment, reiterating
00:37that it was an informal position and strictly for ASEAN matters.
00:41He added that Thaksin's experience in administration and diplomatic relations would be beneficial
00:46as ASEAN seeks to resolve the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
00:50Yesterday, PAS Information Chief Ahmad Fadlisha'ari said Thaksin's appointment raised numerous
00:55questions not just about its political rationale but also its logic and morality.
01:01Thaksin was a Thai prime minister from 2001 to 2006 when he was ousted in a military coup.
01:07He lived in self-imposed exile for 15 years before returning to Thailand in August 2023.
01:12Upon his return, he was jailed for eight years on charges of graft and abuse of power.
01:18Dhanusha Jhareza, FMT News.
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