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New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste eyes October deadline
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste is confident that it can clear all hurdles in time to secure full Asean membership by October. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said the nation has fulfilled more than 80 per cent of the bloc's entry requirements and is racing to wrap up the remainder. Buoyed by strong support from Malaysia, particularly Asean chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Gusmão said he is confident Timor-Leste will soon join as the regional bloc's 11th member. "I'm very confident because my friend and brother, Anwar Ibrahim, has given his full support. "I'm also confident because all the countries have said, 'Yes, you must do everything that is still needed to become a member.' "We have to begin fulfilling the remaining requirements. "The main challenge is completing all preparations. We can say that we've achieved more than 80 per cent. "Our immediate task is to send the laws to Parliament," he said. On Tuesday, Anwar announced that the bloc had agreed to accept Timor-Leste as a full member, pending the completion of legal requirements under the Asean Foreign Ministers (AFM) framework. Anwar said Asean will do "whatever is necessary" to ensure that Timor-Leste becomes the bloc's latest member by October. Timor-Leste, the youngest nation in Southeast Asia, has been pursuing full Asean membership since gaining independence in 2002. The country formally applied for membership in 2011. During the Asean Summit in Cambodia in 2022, Timor-Leste was admitted in principle as Asean's 11th member and granted observer status. STRONG POLITICAL WILL Gusmão said there is strong political will across Timor-Leste's leadership to see the membership process through. "Just yesterday, our parliamentary speaker attended the AIPA (Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) meeting and has become aware of the steps required. "I believe that once she returns to Dili (Timor-Leste's capital), she will do everything she can to convince Parliament to approve the remaining laws." He said some of the legal instruments required for membership need to be ratified by Parliament. "As I understand it, certain laws must first be approved by Parliament, then sent to the president for promulgation, before final ratification. "That's why we are doing everything to become a full Asean member by October." He said Malaysia has been politically and technically supportive, helping Timor-Leste understand Asean's requirements and guiding the country through the membership process. He added that other member states have also offered assistance, including a personal assurance from Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. CONTRIBUTING TO ASEAN Gusmão acknowledged that Timor-Leste, as a young nation, cannot expect to make immediate, significant contributions to Asean upon joining. He said participation will be an ongoing, year-by-year process. Timor-Leste, he said, plans to leverage its membership to boost its capabilities, particularly in human resource development. "At the Asean-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) China Summit, one of the issues that was brought up was people-to-people relations, human resource development and skills exchange. "We will seize the opportunity to learn more, for the benefit of our people. "We cannot immediately say that we can export something," he said. He said some areas Timor-Leste could leverage include agriculture, where the focus is on improving food security. "During the summit, everyone, including Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, talked about agriculture. "As a small, mountainous country facing climate change challenges, we face additional difficulties. If successful practices work elsewhere, we can adopt them to boost our ability to feed our people." He highlighted the importance of respecting the unique circumstances of each Asean nation and noted that understanding neighbours' cultures and ways of life is essential to building strong regional ties. A MEANINGFUL SUMMIT Asked for his views on the Asean Summit and its related meetings, he described the event as highly significant, especially due to the depth and value of the exchanges. "It was meaningful due to the openness and exchange of ideas. Anwar presented what Malaysia, as chairman, would do this year, and the theme was inclusivity and sustainability. "There were productive discussions on this, but it was even more meaningful because he also presented a draft of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration On Asean 2045. "It was wonderful, and it also pointed to more integration between countries in all areas, making it significant." He also described the summit between Asean, GCC and China as significant, as all parties had begun exploring ways to boost cooperation amid the challenging global environment. He said they also reaffirmed their commitment to international law and humanitarian rights, particularly for Palestinians in Gaza, during a time of uncertainty and tension. "The three parties expressed commitment to deepen cooperation in economic security, peace, political dialogue and human rights advocacy.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
As 46th summit opens in KL, Asean sec-gen reaffirms centrality, backs Malaysia's Myanmar leadership
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains united and committed to its centrality and solidarity, even amid growing external pressures and persistent challenges such as the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar crisis. Speaking to the media ahead of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here, Kao said the commitment was demonstrated when Asean Foreign Ministers, who met in four separate meetings yesterday, collectively reiterated that Asean's strength lies in its unity and centrality role in the region. 'The message is very clear. Asean Foreign Ministers have not just emphasised unity, but also reaffirmed how Asean will continue working together during this very challenging time,' he said. Kao, who is leading the Asean Secretariat delegation to the 46th Summit, as well as the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, said the bloc has consistently maintained a united voice on regional and global issues when engaging both internally and with external partners. Commenting on Malaysia's announcement to send a delegation to Myanmar to resume engagement with stakeholders there, Kao said this reflects the active role of the Asean Chair and the Special Envoy on Myanmar. 'We've seen that under Malaysia's chairmanship this year, the country has been very proactive and consistent in leading Asean, especially in efforts to engage Myanmar,' he said. He cited Malaysia's swift response to Myanmar's recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake as a key example of this leadership. In coordination with Thailand, Malaysia initiated a special Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss the delivery of assistance. 'The meeting was convened promptly to coordinate a common Asean response. Following that, we've seen the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar both collectively and individually by member states,' he said. Kao noted that Asean continues to play a key role in mobilising regional and external support, channelling it through Asean-coordinated platforms. On the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), Kao said Asean remains firm in its position. 'We want to see a long-term ceasefire, non-violence, inclusive political dialogue, and an escalation in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Myanmar affected by both the political crisis and the recent natural disaster,' he said. Responding to a question on whether Asean would press Myanmar's military junta to hold direct talks with the National Unity Government and other stakeholders, Kao reiterated the bloc's position by saying: 'We want to see an inclusive political dialogue that involves all key stakeholders. What I've observed is that Malaysia has been quite forthcoming in exercising leadership, with the support of Asean member states,' he said. Despite growing concerns over external influence and internal discord, Kao stressed that Asean's consistency, cohesion and commitment to regional peace and stability remain unwavering. — Bernama
