Photo: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
Recent developments in Malaysia’s political landscape have been overtaken by the controversial appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal adviser to Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim for his upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Anwar’s decision has ignited fresh criticism in light of Thaksin’s controversial history and ongoing legal predicaments.
Thaksin, the former prime minister of Thailand, remains a deeply polarizing figure. Exiled due to corruption charges, his political comeback in 2023 has been facilitated through familial connections; first, he exerted influence via his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was elected to the premiership in 2011 and was ousted in 2014, and now through his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who herself became prime minister in August 2024. Anwar’s decision raises ethical questions in a regional forum that advocates for collaborative diplomacy and mutual respect, simultaneously reflecting Anwar’s attraction to strongmen. Since his ascension to power in 2022, Anwar has embraced controversial figures, including current deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib Razak, and has been instrumental in their respective attempts to regain political legitimacy.
Thaksin’s enduring political dynasty may also prompt Anwar to contemplate his own strategies for sustained political relevance. With his family firmly entrenched in Thailand’s political fabric, Thaksin serves as a reminder of the dynastic legacies that shape leadership across Southeast Asia. Anwar’s alliance with Thaksin could easily be seen as implicit support for such political lineages, raising concerns about democratic accountability and the risks of power consolidation.
Anwar has signaled his intent to establish a circle of ten informal advisers. Given Anwar’s penchant for engaging controversial figures, one can speculate whether he might consider including other similar personalities from throughout the region. This inclination toward legitimizing controversial figures points to a pattern that could yield another complex—if not contentious—coalition.
While Anwar Ibrahim stands to gain insights from Thaksin’s navigation of the Southeast Asian political landscape, he must proceed with caution. Prioritizing transparency and integrity in governance is essential if he wishes to avoid the entanglements of dynastic politics and business conflicts that led others astray. The lessons gleaned may serve either to bolster democratic resilience or to deepen entrenched power structures within the region, presenting Anwar with a choice that will shape his legacy.
Sophie Lemière is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
