[UPDATED] Asean committed to Timor-Leste's full membership by October, says Anwar

New Straits Times

27-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean will do whatever is necessary to ensure that Timor-Leste becomes the 11th member of the economic bloc by October this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the bloc had agreed to accept Timor-Leste as a full member, pending the completion of necessary legal requirements under the Asean Foreign Ministers' (AFM) framework.
"Timor-Leste was considered; they have been working hard, (but) there were parameters and pillars that need to be met, (including) political, economic, legal and they have tried very hard.
"Malaysia, Indonesia and several other countries have assisted in many ways to help them meet the pre-conditions that were set for any entry into Asean, and I would say we are quite satisfied.
"So the decision was clearly to agree that they would be accepted as a full member by the next session in October.
"However, this is subject to one or two actions or reforms that must be undertaken, particularly to fulfil certain conditions under the economic pillar," he said.
On Sunday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Timor-Leste must work "doubly hard" to secure full Asean membership, including adopting the necessary guidelines under the AFM framework related to Asean's legal instruments.
While the regional bloc is eager to assist Timor-Leste, Mohamad said the country must also demonstrate its own commitment.
He said that Malaysia, as this year's Asean chair, had proposed that Timor-Leste be admitted as the bloc's newest member despite not having fulfilled all 84 legal instruments required.