Malaysia provides financial support to speed up Timor-Leste's ASEAN accession process

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

Malaysia has contributed 100,000 USD in total to the Timor-Leste unit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a goal to expedite and assist the country’s permanent ASEAN membership.

The Star Newspaper quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Mohamad Hasan as reporting on February 6 that as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2025, Malaysia will ensure that this issue will be a priority in meetings, including the ASEAN Summit.

timor-leste.png
Timor-Leste is recognised as an ASEAN observer state and joins the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2005 before officially applying for membership on March 4, 2011. (Photo: Theaseanpost.com)

The country will spearhead efforts to expedite the implementation of the plan, specifically the 88 legal instruments and the ASEAN agreement that Timor-Leste needs to fulfil.

In a meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Malaysia suggested that Timor-Leste should achieve between 20% and 30% of the total requirements to continue the accession process.

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

In 2022, ASEAN leaders gathered at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and agreed in principle for Timor-Leste to become the bloc’s 11th member.

It has also been granted observer status to participate in all ASEAN meetings, including plenary sessions./.

World

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres
World

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres

An estimated 220,000 people were estimated to have been tricked into working for romance-investment schemes, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling in Myanmar and Cambodia in 2023.

Singapore makes efforts to upgrade social housing
World

Singapore makes efforts to upgrade social housing

Singaporean Minister of National Development Desmond Lee said on February 17 that 29,000 flats built in 1997 or earlier have been chosen for the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and will get structural improvements and upgrades to bathrooms and entrances, among other things.

Indonesia raises volcano alert to highest level
World

Indonesia raises volcano alert to highest level

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which stands 1,703 meters tall, has erupted multiple times in recent months. In November, a series of eruptions killed nine people, forced thousands to flee, and disrupted international flights to Bali.

Indonesia boosts culinary tourism
World

Indonesia boosts culinary tourism

To promote Indonesian culinary tourism, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is currently focusing on culinary products to ensure that tourism products can move up a class. It is also paying attention to wellness tourism, gastronomy, marine, and fashion.