DILI, 14 November 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, today attended a ceremony at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace where the Malaysian community in Timor-Leste expressed its strong support for the presidential initiative “Dapur ba Povu” (Kitchen for the People), a program dedicated to the welfare, nutrition, and education of Timorese children.
Speaking at the Cantina Matak, the Ambassador of Malaysia, Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh, described the contribution as a firm endorsement of President Ramos-Horta’s initiative to safeguard the welfare, nutrition, and education of Timor-Leste’s children. This act of solidarity highlights the growing international recognition and support for the President’s program, which is focused on youth development.
The contribution, valued at around $2,000, includes essential furniture such as tables, chairs, bookshelves, and a whiteboard. Ambassador Amarjit highlighted that this donation is intended to support the expansion of the initiative, namely the establishment of a new canteen center in the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno (RAEOA). The support will be crucial for equipping the future facility and ensuring the successful implementation of the program in the enclave.
The Ambassador also recalled that this contribution is part of an ongoing partnership, with the Malaysian Embassy and the Malaysian community having supported the Cantina Matak for almost three years. He praised President Ramos-Horta’s focus on ensuring children have access to healthy and balanced meals, which are fundamental for their growth, learning, and well-being.
He concluded by reinforcing that the shared objective is to build confidence and hope in Timorese children, instilling in them the conviction that they can build a bright future—a vision that is at the heart of the national development priorities advocated by President Ramos-Horta.
The symbolic handover of classroom furniture to the President is to support the operations of Kantina Matak in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA).
Established in 2022, Kantina Matak provides up to 500 meals daily, mainly to children, across four locations in Dili and one in Oe-Cusse Ambeno, contributing to better health, nutrition, and learning outcomes for Timor-Leste’s younger generation.
The Embassy of Malaysia remains committed to working closely with the Government and people of Timor-Leste in promoting mutual understanding, capacity building, and community development for the benefit of both nations.
TATOLI
