Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today held a meeting with former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. Anwar said the meeting with Thaksin, who chairs the ASEAN Chairman’s informal advisory group, discussed various important matters including the situation in Myanmar as well as the development of cryptocurrencies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar continued discussions in the evening with former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo. The talks are part of Malaysia’s preparations as it assumes the role of ASEAN Chair in 2025, a position it officially took over on January 1, marking the fifth time Malaysia has chaired ASEAN since its establishment in 1967.

On December 16, Anwar announced the appointment of Thaksin as an informal adviser to assist Malaysia in its role as ASEAN Chair. Malaysia’s previous terms as Chair were in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015, and the country is gearing up for its upcoming leadership responsibilities.