DILI, 07 February 2025 (TATOLI) – The Malaysian government has pledged US$200,000 to the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to accelerate the country’s accession to ASEAN, BERNAMA reported.
TATOLI News Agency quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Mohamad Hasan as reporting on February 6 that Malaysia will lead efforts to streamline the membership roadmap, including ensuring Timor-Leste’s participation in 88 ASEAN legal instruments and agreements.
“Of these, 69 agreements fall under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), 13 under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), and six under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC),” Minister Hasan said during the Minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat, according to BERNAMA.
Hasan said that during the meeting in Vientiane (Laos), Malaysia suggested that Timor-Leste does not need to fulfil all 88 instruments immediately.
“Meeting 20-30 percent would suffice, with time given for gradual compliance, allowing us to integrate them as a permanent ASEAN partner this year,” he added in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) about Malaysia’s role in Timor-Leste’s membership.
Last month, during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Langkawi, Malaysia, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed commitment to support Timor-Leste’s accession to the block.
In 2022, ASEAN agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the group’s 11th member.
Timor-Leste began its bid for ASEAN membership in 2011, nine years after its independence in 2002.
TATOLI
