His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta
President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn
Secretary General of ASEAN,
Excellencies,
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum and good afternoon.
It is indeed a great privilege for me to warmly welcome you, Mr. President, and your esteemed delegation to the ASEAN Secretariat. We are glad to have this opportunity to meet and engage with you.
2. As Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, I am pleased to highlight the significant role that this mechanism plays in ensuring ASEAN’s overall effectiveness. The Committee of Permanent Representatives, commonly known as the CPR, serves as the core platform for coordination among ASEAN Member States, acting as a bridge between political leadership and institutional implementation. It serves as the backbone of ASEAN’s daily operations, fostering collaboration among member states. It facilitates close collaboration to advance ASEAN’s priorities, follow through on Leader’s decisions, and strengthens our engagement with Dialogue Partners and other external stakeholders. This coordination enables ASEAN to respond in a coherent and timely manner to both immediate and long-term strategic issues. Indeed, the CPR plays an important role in ensuring that ASEAN remains a cohesive and effective organisation able to meet challenges that come its way.
3. At present, the CPR is actively engaged in strengthening ASEAN’s institutional capacity, enhancing external engagement, and improving our collective response to regional and global challenges. These efforts are imperative to ensure that ASEAN remains resilient, adaptable and prepared to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape
4. As you are aware Mr. President, at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025, ASEAN Leaders had collectively agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th Member State of ASEAN by the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. This landmark decision demonstrates ASEAN’s shared aspiration of building a more inclusive and representative regional ASEAN community, where no country is left behind as we work towards greater ASEAN integration
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
5. As Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia, working closely with other member states, is pleased to observe the great progress made by Timor-Leste in fulfilling the requirements set forth in the Roadmap for its full membership in ASEAN. We commend the strong commitment and political will demonstrated by Timor-Leste, through your able leadership, Mr. President, in undertaking the necessary measures to align Timor-Leste with ASEAN’s principles, norms, and obligations. With this conviction, Malaysia welcomes Timor-Leste’s membership to ASEAN. We hope that Timor-Leste will continue to remain steadfast in its efforts to meet with ASEAN’s aspiration and goals for the betterment to our region. As a member of the ASEAN family, like other members of ASEAN, Timor-Leste will have a stake in ensuring the peace, stability and prosperity of our region.
6. Malaysia has consistently supported Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. Notably, Malaysia has contributed USD200,000 towards the establishment of the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat. We are confident that this contribution will complement collective efforts to strengthen institutional support for Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN.
7. Furthermore, under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Malaysia has allocated RM3.7 million (approximately USD875,000) for 2025 to design and implement twelve tailored capacity-building programmes aligned with Timor-Leste’s development priorities and institutional needs. Of this allocation, RM500,000 (USD118,000) has been earmarked for the Special Attachment Programme for Timor-Leste officers. This programme had tailored three separate batches of Timor-Leste officers attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, which provided them with valuable exposure to both substantive and logistical preparations required for the various ASEAN Meetings. These initiatives underscore Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to ensure Timor-Leste’s ability and readiness to effectively participate in ASEAN mechanisms.
Mr. President,
Excellencies
Ladies & Gentlemen,
8. As I conclude, I wish to reaffirm the CPR’s enduring commitment to ensure a smooth and successful accession process for Timor-Leste by October 2025. We are confident that continued collaboration will further strengthen ASEAN unity and contribute to the realisation of a more cohesive and resilient regional community.
9. The founding leaders of ASEAN envisioned ASEAN as a family of nations bound by friendship, goodwill and shared ideals, determined to shape their own destiny. The CPR in its daily interaction have long regarded Her Excellency Ambassador Natercia Coelho da Silva as part of the CPR family. In spirit, she is already family. Ambassador Natercia is a consummate diplomat who through her dedication and commitment has worked tirelessly in representing Timor-Leste. The CPR looks forward to working closely with her as Timor-Leste transitions into full membership. We are glad to have her join the CPR as it continues its journey to serve ASEAN in realising our shared aspirations. Timor-Leste deserves a place in ASEAN. We look forward to it being a part of the ASEAN Community Building process as we work towards ASEAN integration to realise our ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.
Once again, Excellency, welcome to the ASEAN Secretariat. We look forward to you sharing your wisdom in your policy speech.
Thank you.