Timor-Leste Can Play Proactive Role, Be ASEAN's Moral Sounding Board - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is confident that Timor-Leste, although set to be the youngest member, will quickly assume a proactive and meaningful role in ASEAN, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.

He said Timor-Leste has shown a strong commitment to peacebuilding, dialogue, reconciliation and democratic accountability — values that are crucial as ASEAN embarks on its Vision 2045.

“ASEAN must transcend catering only to governments and elites and be truly people-centric. If Timor-Leste holds the course domestically on principled positions and values in governance, there is no reason why it could not become ASEAN's moral sounding board,” he said in his Presidential Lecture and Acceptance of the Conferment of the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste in Dili.

Anwar stressed that the region stands to benefit from Timor-Leste’s experiences in overcoming struggle and hardship, which could help shape ASEAN into a more inclusive, just and people-centred community.

He also highlighted Timor-Leste’s unique position within the Lusophone community, comprising nine member nations and 35 associate observers, as an advantage for ASEAN to expand ties with the Portuguese-speaking world.

Anwar said Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN will help the bloc expand ties with the Lusophone community and strengthen links with the Global South.

He noted that the Portuguese-speaking community also offers vast opportunities for ASEAN, with Timor-Leste already part of the grouping for over two decades.

“It would be plainly advantageous for ASEAN to have a member that has long been part of the Lusophone community," he said.

The prime minister further noted that Malaysia views Timor-Leste as a key partner in strengthening ASEAN’s cooperation with Pacific island nations.

He said ASEAN and the Pacific Island Forum had already taken initial steps towards greater collaboration, and Timor-Leste’s role could further connect ASEAN with the wider Indo-Pacific region.

“I look forward to Timor-Leste playing an active role in advancing this cooperation based on shared interests,” he said.

-- BERNAMA