PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia fully supports Timor-Leste’s accession as a permanent member of ASEAN. He expressed anticipation for Timor-Leste’s official membership next year, coinciding with Malaysia’s chairmanship of the regional bloc. “We will do whatever necessary to assist Timor Leste so that the process can be further facilitated and accelerated,” Anwar stated at a joint press conference with Timor Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gusmão, who took office in July last year, is on his maiden visit to Malaysia. Anwar conveyed the country’s unwavering support during a bilateral meeting held earlier in the day. Timor-Leste is currently awaiting approval from ASEAN member states to become a full member, after being recognized as an observer state and joining the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2005. The nation officially applied for membership on March 4, 2011. Last year, ASEAN leaders agreed in principle at the 40th and 41
st ASEAN Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for Timor-Leste to join the bloc as its 11th member, and the nation currently holds observer status to participate in all ASEAN meetings.
During the press conference, Gusmão expressed gratitude for Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession during its upcoming chairmanship. He highlighted the partnership between the two countries as a testament to their shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and development. Addressing global conflicts, Gusmão underscored the importance of international dialogue and law, pointing out the disparity in the international community’s response to Ukraine and Gaza. He stated, “Before and after Timor-Leste joins ASEAN, together we will fight for peace in the world.”
In a joint statement, Malaysia expressed deep appreciation to Timor-Leste for gifting a parcel of land in Dili for developing its diplomatic premises. Both leaders welcomed the signing of the Land Concession Agreement by the Foreign Ministers of
both countries, with Malaysia eager to start the development of the embassy complex.
Furthermore, the leaders addressed the Myanmar crisis, reaffirming their commitment to the ASEAN Leaders’ Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as the guiding framework for resolving the political situation. They also discussed regional issues such as developments in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolutions based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982).
Anwar and Gusmão expressed urgent concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. They demanded that Israel ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and reaffirmed support for establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, Palestine’s full United Nations membership, and adherence to relevant UN resolutions.