Former Thai PM Tells Jakarta He Forgives Those Who Ousted Him

Ismira Lutfia

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told a forum in Jakarta on Tuesday that forgiving was the key to solving conflict, vowing that he would never have any intention to seek revenge against those deposed him from power six years ago.

“I never want to take revenge out on anyone,” the Thai billionaire said.

Thaksin, who was Thailand’s prime minister from 2001 until 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup, said that Thai people should have moved toward a reconciliation process a long time ago, and detach themselves from the past when the country was still divided and in conflict.

Speaking at the first Strategic Review Forum, he said the continued conflicts have caused Thai people to suffer.

“I would suggest that everybody in Thailand detach themselves from the past,” said Thaksin, citing an example the way Japan forgave the United States, which dropped atomic bombs on it during World War II, and became a close ally.

“If you learn how to forgive, that is success for reconciliation,” Thaksin said.

Speaking at the same forum, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim praised Indonesia for being able to bury the hatchet and forget its past acrimony while striving to improve the country.

“I am not suggesting that Indonesia doesn’t face major problems, but you are able to move on when you’re not engrossed with the past,” he said.

Anwar said that Malaysia, unlike Indonesia, continues to be trapped in its past conflicts.

“It would take a lot of courage and effort to move forward,” said Anwar.

The former Malaysian deputy prime minister has been accused of sexual misconduct in his country. He said that he and his family should move forward.

Thaksin agreed, saying: “We can’t forget what went wrong but let’s not be captive to the past.”

Thaksin’s younger sister Yingluck assumed the Thai leadership following elections last July. While she has so far not taken steps toward pardoning her brother to smooth his return to public life in the country, many analysts have predicted that is likely during her term as the nation’s leader. Ismira Lutfia