Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and Laos have reiterated their strong support for Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership and called for intensified, inclusive efforts to address Myanmar’s prolonged crisis. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that both countries agreed it was time to finalize Timor-Leste’s accession process.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar expressed hope that Timor-Leste’s accession could be finalized by October this year, contingent upon reaching a consensus in the upcoming meeting, especially during the subsequent retreat. This statement was made during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, held at the Perdana Putra Complex.

Earlier in the day, Anwar and Siphandone witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Thanaleng Dry Port (TDP). The agreement was represented by MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd (MMC Ports) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof and PTL Holding Co Ltd CEO Chanthone Sitthixay.