Malaysia Pledges USD200,000 To Accelerate Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has pledged USD200,000 to the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to speed up the country’s journey to full ASEAN membership and ensure it remains a priority in upcoming ASEAN meetings, including the ASEAN Summit.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed that Malaysia will lead efforts to streamline the membership roadmap, including ensuring Timor-Leste’s participation in 88 ASEAN legal instruments and agreements.

"Of these, 69 agreements fall under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), 13 under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) and six under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC),” he said during the Minister's question time in the Dewan Rakyat.

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“During the meeting in Vientiane (Laos), Malaysia suggested that Timor-Leste need not fulfill all 88 instruments immediately.

“Meeting 20-30 per cent would suffice, with time given for gradual compliance, allowing us to integrate them as a permanent ASEAN partner this year,” he added in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) about Malaysia's role in Timor-Leste's membership.

Mohamad said Timor-Leste has sought to join ASEAN since 2011, with the association assisting the country in meeting membership requirements.

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At the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in November 2022, ASEAN agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as its 11th member, contingent on meeting the criteria outlined in the Full Membership Roadmap.

-- BERNAMA