TIMOR-LESTE WILL BE 'VERY GOOD NEW MEMBER' OF ASEAN -- MITI SEC-GEN

By Mohd Khairi Idham Amran and Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KOTA TINGGI, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, it is confident that Timor-Leste will be a "very good new member" to the regional bloc, said the secretary-general of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob.

Hairil said Timor-Leste's inclusion is expected to bring significant benefits, though concerns remain about Timor-Leste’s ability to meet its commitments. 

"(Despite these concerns), Malaysia, as chair (for ASEAN in 2025), (believes) Timor Leste will be a very good new member of ASEAN," he told Bernama.

Hairil is upbeat that Timor-Leste is edging closer to achieving full ASEAN membership, marking a significant milestone as the country takes on a more active role in the 47th High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) and the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (Prep-SEOM) for the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Desaru here. 

The 31st AEM is slated to be held on Feb 28, chaired by MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Before the meeting, the 12th Working Group-ASEAN Economic Community (WG-AEC) Meeting was held on Feb 22-23, while the 47th HLTF-EI meeting took place on Feb 24-25.  The Prep-SEOM for the AEM Retreat will be held on Feb 26-27.

Meanwhile, Hairil said for the first time in history, Timor-Leste has been allowed to participate directly in HLTF-EI and the Prep-SEOM discussions for the 31st AEM. “We want Timor-Leste to be part of ASEAN. During the HLTF-EI meeting, we gave them the opportunity to express their thoughts, views, and recommendations on all agenda items. This is a significant milestone before we officially welcome Timor-Leste as a full ASEAN member,” he said.

According to Hairil, capacity building and technical assistance from the ASEAN Secretariat will play a crucial role in ensuring Timor-Leste can align with ASEAN’s principles and economic pillars. 

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Timor-Leste is expected to attain full ASEAN membership at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.

He noted that a dedicated unit has been established at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to fast-track Timor-Leste’s accession.

Timor-Leste was first recognised as an ASEAN observer and joined the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2005 before officially applying for membership on March 4, 2011.

In 2022, ASEAN leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, agreed in principle for Timor-Leste to become the group's 11th member. The country has also been granted observer status, allowing participation in all ASEAN meetings, including plenary sessions.

-- BERNAMA