Indonesians consider Timor-Leste a ‘Second Home’

DÍLI, 17 August 2026 (TATOLI) – Indonesian citizens living in Timor-Leste say they feel safe, comfortable and welcomed, with some describing the country as a “second home”.

Several Indonesian nationals shared their experiences with TATOLI on the sidelines of celebrations marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day at the Indonesian Embassy in Dili on Monday.

Alya Alvita, an Indonesian citizen from Sumatra who has lived in Timor-Leste for the past two years, said she was comfortable living in the country.

“The environment is clean, and I feel safe. It feels like my own home; it has already become my second home,” Alya said.

Priska Amelia, an Indonesian citizen from Jakarta who has lived in Dili for about 10 years, said she had also consistently felt safe and accepted by the local community.

“It is very safe. I have been warmly accepted as part of the extended family in Dili. People are kind, friendly and welcoming to everyone,” Priska said.

Meanwhile, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili, Raden Sakunto Paksi, called on Indonesians living in Timor-Leste to promote unity and strengthen their relationships with the Timorese community.

“We are guests here in Timor-Leste, so we should maintain unity and solidarity and preserve good relations with our brothers and sisters in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste and Indonesia are like one family; they are our brothers and sisters, our cousins — we are cousins,” Raden said.

He said the close relationship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste goes beyond formal bilateral ties and reflected longstanding bonds between the two peoples.

Raden also highlighted Timor-Leste’s role in Southeast Asia through its membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying the country’s participation in the regional bloc could create further opportunities for Indonesia and Timor-Leste to deepen cooperation.

Raden urged Indonesians living and working in Timor-Leste to continue making positive contributions and strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“Once again, my message to the Indonesian community in Timor-Leste is to keep contributing and continue creating positive value for our brothers and sisters in Timor-Leste,” he said.

Hundreds of Indonesian citizens attended the embassy’s Independence Day celebrations, with many wearing traditional clothing representing different regions of the Indonesian archipelago.

TATOLI