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The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Timor-Leste to join Asean in October
Seeking solutions: Anwar (right) with Asean leaders attending the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council summmit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste's wait to be included in Asean will be over in five months, when they will be granted full membership at the next regional meeting, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. The Prime Minister said Asean leaders have agreed to accept Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the association at the next Asean Summit in October. He said Timor-Leste has been working hard to fulfil requirements to become an Asean member and Malaysia is satisfied with the country's efforts. 'Malaysia, Indonesia and a number of other countries have assisted in many ways to ensure that they meet this precondition. I would say we are quite satisfied. 'The decision is to agree that they will be accepted as a full member by the next session in October,' said Anwar during his exit press conference after the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits yesterday. He said Timor-Leste has to fulfil 'one or two' economic preconditions to be admitted as a full member of Asean. 'The consensus is that we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that they come in by October as a full member,' he added. Current Asean members are Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. Timor-Leste was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2002, making it Asia's youngest democracy. The country officially applied for Asean membership in 2011 and was granted observer status in 2022. Its Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, who was also in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Summit, was reported as being optimistic about securing the full membership by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Anwar said as Asean Chair this year, Malaysia is hoping to come up with tangible programmes that will benefit the people by October. Anwar said various ministries and officials will have to start working on these initiatives. 'So by October, we want to see the results. We want to see real change that will benefit the people,' he added. The Prime Minister said the Asean Summit and Related Summits achieved its objectives by successfully bringing together the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China at the same table, crediting the outcome to the strong spirit of unity and the unwavering support of all regional leaders. Reflecting on the engagements throughout the summit, Anwar said Malaysia's chairmanship had enabled deeper discussions with Asean's external partners. He also said discussions held throughout the summit had been fruitful. 'There is a dramatic change in terms of attitude. The South China Sea was discussed, and we also saw exchanges between the Philippines and China. 'I'm not saying these issues can be resolved, but at least there is meaningful and positive engagement. That is the spirit of Asean,' added Anwar. Malaysia is the Chair of Asean this year, having held the post in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean unity vital for regional security, says Mohamad
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must identify partners that can support efforts in safeguarding the region, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister stressed its importance, saying it is imperative for Asean institutions to remain fit for purpose, forward looking and inclusive. 'This is important if we are to achieve our shared goal of ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful region for all Asean citizens,' he said in his opening remarks at the 29th Asean Political Security Community (APSC) Council meeting on Sunday (May 25). Mohamad said Malaysia, as the Asean chair, has identified priorities to further consolidate Asean collaboration in areas such as dialogue and strategic trust, transnational crime, defence and legal cooperation. 'Malaysia is committed to working closely with all Asean member states to ensure our community remains cohesive, responsive and future-ready,' he said. In his remarks, the minister said the meeting was also set to review the progress, in the implementation of the APSC 2025 Blueprint, and preparations for its end-term review, adding that the region now stands at an important juncture. 'We face an increasingly complex regional and global landscape, shaped by heightened geopolitical competition, economic uncertainty and transnational challenges that expose the fragility of present world order,' he said. Mohamad said the Asean region is also facing increasing security threats, with the rise of cyber crimes like online scams and job scams. 'In recent years, Asean has increased efforts to curtail these threats. Nevertheless, crime syndicates have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to relocate or rebuild their operations,' he said, adding that addressing these issues comprehensively is necessary for the well-being of Asean citizens, regional security and prosperity. 'Therefore, it is vital that Asean enhances regional cooperation, legal harmonisation and information-sharing mechanisms among its member states,' he said. Malaysia will host the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from May 26 to 27. Wisma Putra is taking the lead in organising these summits under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. Two other high-level meetings – the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit – will also be held.
