DILI, 16 April 2026 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta today bestowed the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste upon the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh. The ceremony took place at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
The Order of Timor-Leste is the nation’s highest honor, awarded to individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service to the country. Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh received this distinction under the Decree of the President of the Republic No.42/2026, in recognition of his exceptional work in deepening bilateral ties between Timor-Leste and Malaysia.
Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh is a distinguished career diplomat with more than two decades of service. He began his career as a journalist before joining Malaysia’s Administrative and Diplomatic Service in 2001. He has since served in various diplomatic postings, including in Hanoi, Astana, and Harare, as well as in senior roles at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Appointed as the Ambassador to Timor-Leste in 2023, he assumed his post in Dili the same year. In 2024, he was conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (D.S.P.N.), carrying the title “Dato’,” in recognition of his service.
During his tenure from March 2023 to April 2026, Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh significantly strengthened bilateral relations between Malaysia and Timor-Leste, advancing key initiatives including the land concession agreement in Dili; the establishment of direct air links between Kuala Lumpur and Dili; visa waiver arrangements; and the conclusion of MoUs in higher education, telecommunications, media and information, rural development, and defence.
He also facilitated in a renewed series of high-level engagements, including visits by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in 2025 and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2024 to Timor-Leste.
He was instrumental in advancing capacity-building initiatives, notably expanding the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) to benefit over 500 Timorese civil servants within a short span of less than three years, and contributing to the first cohort of Timorese state-sponsored students pursuing studies in Malaysia beginning in 2024. Importantly, his tenure coincided with Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN in 2025 during Malaysia’s Chairmanship, marking a milestone achievement that underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
President Ramos-Horta praised the Ambassador’s service, stating: “Ambassador Singh has served with dedication, strengthening bonds between Malaysia and Timor-Leste as our friendship evolved into a forward-looking partnership grounded in economic cooperation and shared security interests.”
During his tenure, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, Timor-Leste was admitted as the 11th ASEAN member, Ambassador also advanced plans for a permanent Malaysian Embassy in Dili, and direct flights were launched between Kuala Lumpur and Dili, deepening connectivity and people-to-people ties.
“Beyond his official duties, Ambassador Singh, together with his esteemed spouse, has made a remarkable contribution at the humanitarian, cultural, and social levels, fostering closer ties between our peoples and promoting mutual understanding and goodwill,” said Ramos-Horta.
The conferral of the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste upon Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh reflects respect and gratitude of the people of Timor-Leste for Ambassador service, friendship, and lasting contributions. Malaysia remains a valued partner and friend of Timor-Leste, and the strong foundation Ambassador Singh have helped to build will continue to guide cooperation between the two countries in the years ahead.
TATOLI
