“Anwar is a spy” claim by Thai retired general angers Malaysians

A recent remark by a Thai retired army general that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is a “spy” meddling with the Thai-Cambodian conflict has caused quite a stir in the Malaysian political circles with a law-maker demanding diplomatic action over the matter.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin was also prompted to respond to the issue during a recent House session, according to Focus Malaysia news website.

The uproar was trigged by an accusation by Gen Rangsi Kitiyansap during a recent television interview that Prime Minister Anwar was a “spy” interfering with Thailand’s affairs.

“Anwar is a spy. He is a real hassle that has caused us calamities. Why is he meddling with us?” said Rangsi, an outspoken critic of the recent peace deal signed recently by Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur.

Rangsi did not say who Anwar was allegedly spying for and provided no information to back up his accusation against the Malaysian leader.

Rangsi has become a frequent fixture in TV interviews in recent months and is known for his combative rhetoric against Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen, calling him a “villain”. He has repeatedly called for the Thai military to declare war on Cambodia.

Rangsi first made headlines in 2022 when he was removed as director of TV Channel 5, the army-owned media outlet, over what was alleged to be its biased coverage of the war in Ukraine. He has recently launched a new political party to enter the next general elections.

Focus Malaysia reported that a lawyer of Perikatan Nasional, a coalition of opposition parties, has expressed shock at Rangsi’s accusation against the Malaysian leader.

“Most shockingly is that Rangsi labelled PMX (Anwar) who is the ASEAN chairman as a traitor and a hidden enemy,” Rafique Rashid Ali said in a Facebook post which has since gone viral.

“In fact, Rangsi also labelled PMX as using the agreement to promote himself,” he said, referring to Rangsi’s claim in the interview that Anwar’s interference was only for self-promotion.

An MP representing Machang District of the State of Kelantan has called on the Malaysian Foreign Ministry to take firm diplomatic action on the matter.

“What I regret most is that he labelled (Anwar) a traitor and a sai suek – a spy for America. This is an issue that Wisma Putra must address either through a diplomatic note of protest or another suitable channel,” Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said during a House debate on a different issue.

Debunking the “American spy” claim, Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has given great acknowledgement to Anwar as the facilitator of the peace talks, according to Focus Malaysia.

“This is something we should be proud of,” he said in response to the concern raised by Wan Fayhsal during the House debate.

As a sovereign state that maintains good diplomatic relations with Thailand, Mohamad said Malaysia would not respond to statements that do not carry diplomatic authority.

“As for those who seek to belittle the PM’s role, that is their right. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely,” he added.