Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has appointed former Thailand premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal advisor on Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean next year.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Anwar said Thaksin's advice would be very useful to Malaysia, given his experience as a statesman.
He also said economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of Malaysia-Thailand relations, with both countries targeting US$30 billion in trade by 2027.
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Speaking at a joint press conference with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Anwar said Thaksin's advice would be very useful to Malaysia, given his experience as a statesman.
He also said economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of Malaysia-Thailand relations, with both countries targeting US$30 billion in trade by 2027.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/yc4pepke
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
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NewsTranscript
00:00Ladies and gentlemen, well, it's difficult to give a formal diplomatic welcome to Prime
00:11Minister Petang Thon because she happens to be a great family friend and we are actually
00:22welcoming her to second home in Malaysia.
00:27But of course, we are delighted to have her, although she has been in the office for just
00:33four months, but she has done remarkably well with the team, and I am extremely pleased
00:42because she takes Malaysia as an important friend and economic, both political, cultural
00:52relationship with key ministers, and I have reciprocated by the presence of the Deputy
00:58Prime Minister and a very large contingent of members of the Cabinet.
01:05Now, the seventh annual consultation is timely, of course, taking stock of the excellent bilateral
01:15relations, following through our excellent relations with former Prime Minister Taksin
01:24Sinowatra, who I have agreed to appoint as my personal advisor, Chairman of ASEAN, with
01:38a team of members from ASEAN countries in informal set-up, and thank you for agreeing
01:44to this because we need the benefit of experience of such statesmen.
01:52And secondly, of course, to state that the continued bilateral relations from the time
02:04we were working well with former Prime Minister Seta, even exchanges here in Bangkok, in Phuket,
02:14in Bukit Kayu Itam, in Datuk Panjang, which is spectacular in terms of our record of bilateral
02:22relations, which has not happened before.
02:27So, there is certainly huge progress in terms of the road alignment, CQS Bukit Kayu Itam
02:36and CIQ Sadao, and the construction of the second bridge, Lengking Ratao Panjang and
02:42Sungai Kolok in Thailand, and this would, of course, enhance our collaboration and even
02:49settling many issues, water management and containing, in terms of flood mitigation,
02:57Sungai Kelantan, Sungai Kolok, and the areas in the south of Thailand and north Malaya,
03:03particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu.
03:06We also agreed to support efforts to bolster intra-ASEAN trade and joint investments that
03:16both ministers' investments and trade has agreed. We have the target of $30 billion
03:25by 2027. We can be seen to be very ambitious, but looking at the huge economic potential
03:35in Thailand and also in Malaysia, there are some things that we need to work. We are committed,
03:44as I have already assured repeatedly to leaders in Thailand in the past and now, that we will
03:52do whatever is necessary to ensure that the dialogue process with the southern border
03:59promises of Thailand materialise and to then resolve to a joint comprehensive plan towards peace.
04:11Your Excellency, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia,
04:17members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, selamat pagi.
04:27Sawadikap. First, allow me to thank His Excellency once again for the very warm hospitality to me
04:36and extend it to my delegation during this inductory visit. We very appreciate everything
04:46that's happening right now and yesterday as well. So, coming here for me is very honoured
04:54to have met you again and we talked about many things, the country issues and everything that
05:05we can work together for the good of our both countries and thank you for being so kind. So,
05:14when I meet with other leaders, of course, sometimes I get nervous, but with you I feel like
05:23I can talk or you can advise with very valuable comments. So, I'll take that along with my journey.
05:36So, thank you very much and the main purpose of my visit is to reaffirm the importance of
05:45Thai-Malaysian friendship and cooperation among a wide range of issues aimed at expanding and
05:52deepening our collaborations discussed a moment ago at the seventh annual consultation.
06:00I committed to maintain the dynamics of our relationships and our efforts towards common
06:08peace and prosperity and Thailand supports Malaysia for the ASEAN chairmanship 2025.
06:18We will continue to work closely towards better border road and rail connectivity as well
06:24to facilitate more broader trade and people-to-people interactions. You are very welcome
06:31to visit Thailand anytime that you want. I will be your guide tour and arrange all the
06:38very nice places and nice food to go. So, thank you very much and thank you.
06:45Thank you, Honourable Prime Minister.