- Welcoming Timor-Leste: ASEAN'S Expansion And Malaysia's Leadership
With Malaysia as ASEAN Chair and host of the 58th AMM, Kuala Lumpur became the centre stage for advancing this crucial milestone of ASEAN enlargement.
This development follows the decision made at the 46th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member at the forthcoming 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled for October 2025.
The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), held in Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2025, marked a historic turning point in Southeast Asia's regional architecture by accelerating the final phase of Timor-Leste's accession into ASEAN.
During the 58th AMM, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers formally adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments, signifying institutional readiness for Timor-Leste's full integration.
For its part, Malaysia played a critical role in ensuring these procedural steps were implemented effectively and with urgency. As the Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia not only hosted and chaired the meeting but also underscored the value of inclusivity and sustainability, both of which are deeply reflected in ASEAN's embrace of Timor-Leste's accession.
The AMM also called upon Timor-Leste to expedite the ratification of these legal instruments and align its domestic frameworks with ASEAN's existing policies. This includes acceding to key economic agreements vital for market access, trade liberalisation, and regional connectivity. The operationalisation of the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat will be instrumental in monitoring and facilitating this integration process.
These guidelines chart the path for Dili to accede to ASEAN's numerous treaties, agreements and conventions that span across the three ASEAN Community pillars, Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural.
Malaysia's leadership and strategic diplomacy
Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his opening address, championed the principle of ASEAN Centrality and called for greater synergy across ASEAN pillars. His remarks framed Timor-Leste's entry not merely as a procedural expansion but as a strategic investment in regional solidarity.
Echoing this spirit, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasised during the press conference on 11 July that Malaysia strongly supports Timor-Leste's early accession to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty -expected to occur during the 47th ASEAN Summit – further embedding Dili into ASEAN's peace and security framework.
Malaysia's stewardship has been marked by both decisiveness and diplomatic clarity.
By pushing forward legal harmonisation processes and facilitating Timor-Leste's meaningful participation in ASEAN dialogues, Malaysia has not only fulfilled its chairmanship duties but also reaffirmed its longstanding role as a bridge-builder in Southeast Asia.
Regional and strategic impacts of Timor-Leste's accession
Timor-Leste's accession will have multi-dimensional impacts across ASEAN, strengthening the regional bloc in several significant ways.
Politically, the admission of Timor-Leste reinforces ASEAN's identity as an inclusive, rules-based and cohesive community. It highlights the Association's commitment to engaging and embracing emerging democracies, particularly those with unique post-conflict experiences.
Timor-Leste, having gained independence in 2002 after years of foreign occupation and civil strife, now stands as a resilient democracy with a strong national commitment to human rights, good governance, and regional cooperation. Its inclusion sends a strong signal that ASEAN does not merely function as an exclusive club of economically developed or geopolitically powerful states, but as a community that values democratic evolution, national resilience and regional solidarity.
Strategically, Timor-Leste's accession to the Treaty on SEANWFZ – scheduled for October 2025 – will have a significant impact on the regional security architecture. It will expand the geographical reach of the nuclear-free zone to fully cover the Southeast Asian landmass, closing a symbolic and strategic gap in the treaty's scope.
Timor-Leste's commitment to a denuclearised Southeast Asia will strengthen ASEAN's collective voice in disarmament forums, bolster its role as a champion of peace and stability, and demonstrate that regional unity can be a powerful counterbalance to global insecurity.
Economically, Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN holds transformative potential for both the country and the regional bloc. With a population of approximately 1.3 million and abundant natural resources – including oil and gas – Timor-Leste represents an emerging frontier market in Southeast Asia. Its accession will expand ASEAN's internal market, encouraging greater intra-ASEAN trade, investment and development cooperation.
ASEAN has already committed to providing technical assistance and policy support to ensure Timor-Leste's smooth transition into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). This includes facilitating its accession to key agreements such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and other relevant protocols.
Socially and culturally, Timor-Leste's inclusion adds linguistic and cultural diversity, enriching ASEAN's socio-cultural exchanges and reinforcing its motto of 'One Vision, One Identity, One Community.'
As the 47th ASEAN Summit approaches in October 2025, the full admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN stands not only as a diplomatic formality but as a powerful affirmation of ASEAN's commitment to inclusivity, unity, and future-oriented cooperation. Malaysia, through its strategic leadership and diplomatic agility, has played an indispensable role in realising this regional aspiration.
-- BERNAMA
Assoc Prof Dr Nazariah Osman is the Dean of School of International Studies, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Reiterates Ceasefire Call On Thailand-Cambodia Conflict
PUTRAJAYA, July 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has reiterated its appeal to Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint, undertake an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and refrain from taking any action that may undermine peace efforts. As the Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia said it is deeply concerned over the escalation between the two nations, which has resulted in increasing casualties on both sides, destruction of public property, and the displacement of a large number of people along the border areas. 'We reiterate our appeal to both sides to exercise maximum restraint and undertake an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and refrain from taking any action that may undermine it,' Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said in a statement Saturday. bootstrap slideshow He further urged both sides to return to the negotiating table to restore peace and stability based on the spirit of the ASEAN family, unity, and good neighbourliness. 'We stand ready to continue our work through the good offices of the ASEAN Chair in facilitating both immediate neighbours and fellow members of ASEAN to resume talks and end the fighting,' he added. In the latest development, Malaysia will continue engaging with the leaders of both states to propose a peace process in response to the border conflict between the two countries, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had expressed appreciation for his initiative to propose a peace process and a ceasefire. On Friday, Anwar said the government does not take lightly the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and its impact on Malaysia. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have been escalating since May 28 following a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia urges Thailand, Cambodia to resume peace talk
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia have been urged to hold negotiations to restore peace and stability, in line with the spirit of Asean unity and fraternity. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two nations must be guided by principles of solidarity and good neighbourliness. He said Malaysia stands ready to play a constructive role, through the Asean Chair's Office, in helping Thailand and Cambodia resume talks and bring an end to the fighting. Mohamad also reiterated Malaysia's call for both countries to exercise maximum restraint and implement an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. "This is to prevent either Thailand or Cambodia from taking any action that may jeopardise peace efforts. "As the Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between the governments of Thailand and Cambodia. "The situation has already resulted in rising casualties on both sides, widespread damage to public property, and the displacement of many residents from border areas," he said in a statement. The latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia stems from tensions that began in May, following the death of a Cambodian soldier during an armed confrontation at the border. The 818-kilometre border between the two countries has long been a source of dispute, with both claiming sovereignty over areas demarcated during French colonial rule in 1907. Several ancient temples along the border remain key points of contention, including Prasat Ta Moan Thom and the famed Preah Vihear Temple. International media earlier reported that fighting had entered its third day, although there appeared to be a glimmer of hope, as both sides expressed willingness to seek diplomatic support, claimed acts of self-defence, and called for an end to hostilities through dialogue. At least 30 people have been killed and over 130,000 displaced in what is now the worst conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. Thailand's death toll remains at 19 as of today, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata confirmed the deaths of five soldiers and eight civilians. In February, the dispute over Prasat Ta Moan Thom, a Khmer temple near the Thai border, flared up further when Thai authorities barred Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at the site. The Cambodian government, however, has denied initiating the conflict, stating it only responded after Thai forces launched an armed attack. Both nations have since severed diplomatic ties and continue to blame each other for triggering the violence. Thailand has also announced the closure of all border checkpoints with Cambodia until further notice.


Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
BN-PH pact likely to continue for GE16, but may change after that, says Zahid
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN is firm on continuing its alliance with PH in the run-up to the next nationwide polls despite calls for it to go solo. PETALING JAYA : While Barisan Nasional plans to continue its alliance with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election (GE16), BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says its strategies for elections after that may change. Zahid, the Umno president, acknowledged that there were calls for BN to contest in GE16 on its own, but said the coalition is firm on continuing its alliance with PH. However, he said BN's political strategies for the general elections that follow will be determined by the electoral performance of the parties in the alliance, Berita Harian reported. 'We do not know how many seats we will have, and how many seats they will have. 'Remember that, in Malaysia, differences in views are conventionally based on differing party 'colours'. We are willing to forget our different 'colours' for the sake of political stability,' he was quoted as saying. The Umno-led BN played a crucial role in enabling Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to form the unity government in the wake of the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung Parliament. PH had won 81 parliamentary seats while BN won 30, in what was the latter's worst electoral performance to date.