Syrians in Egypt face uncertain future after Assad ouster

New law gives Cairo govt the power to determine refugee status, instead of UN

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra's expertise would benefit the country as it prepares to take on the Asean chairmanship in 2025.

The two met on Dec 26 and discussed critical regional priorities, including fostering peace in southern Thailand and addressing the Myanmar crisis.

"Thaksin's unparalleled network of relationships across the region, coupled with his unique expertise, promises to open invaluable opportunities for Malaysia and Asean to address these challenges with greater confidence and efficacy," Datuk Seri Anwar wrote on Facebook on Dec 26.

The meeting came after Mr Anwar named Thaksin as informal adviser for the Asean chair. The appointment courted criticism from the opposition, which pointed to the former leader's previous corruption conviction.

Mr Anwar appeared unperturbed, describing Thaksin as his "dear friend".

Thaksin returned to his homeland in 2023 after 15 years in exile following a deal with royalists who once ousted him in a coup. The de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party was later indicted under the lese majeste law for an interview he gave nearly a decade ago.

Despite Thaksin's domestic legal troubles, Mr Anwar said the two "shared the belief that Malaysia and Thailand could accomplish much more together, not only for our respective nations, but for the region as a whole". BLOOMBERG

CAIRO - Syrian refugees and residents in Egypt face an uncertain future as new regulations may jeopardise their right to remain in the country after Mr Bashar al-Assad's ouster earlier in December.