Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent official visit to Timor-Leste served as a pivotal step toward the country’s anticipated entry into ASEAN while simultaneously enhancing Malaysia-Timor-Leste relations, as stated by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi shared insights from today’s Cabinet meeting, emphasizing the significance of the visit, marking the first by a Malaysian Prime Minister since Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2003.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister underscored the visit’s importance in the context of ASEAN’s future. Malaysia, serving as the ASEAN Chair, is set to welcome Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the association on October 26. Fahmi noted that this visit not only represented Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair but also reinforced bilateral ties between Malaysia and Timor-Leste.

The upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit, slated for October 26 to 28, will see participation from global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside ASEAN heads of government and dialogue partners. The Prime Minister’s historic two-day visit to Timor-Leste on September 23 aimed to bolster bilateral relations and advocate for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership.

In the realm of trade, 2024 saw Malaysia and Timor-Leste engage in bilateral trade valued at USD18.72 million (RM85.68 million). Malaysia’s exports to Timor-Leste totaled USD18.37 million (RM84.06 million), with imports standing at USD0.35 million (RM1.62 million). From January to July this year, bilateral trade reached USD6.65 million (RM26.88 million), with over 200 Malaysian small and medium enterprises operating in Timor-Leste across sectors such as food, hospitality, retail, and automotive services.