24 September 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Timor-Leste is set to become the 11th member of the regional bloc ASEAN in October.
According to Anwar, who is currently the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the formal accession will take place at a summit of world leaders in Kuala Lumpur. Timor-Leste is a new country in the region that gained independence in 2002 after 24 years of Indonesian rule.
Anwar said the two sides discussed trade, investment, tourism, education and defence issues during their talks. He is also scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister of East Timor during his visit.
ASEAN, which began with five members in 1967, has gradually expanded to include Cambodia as its latest member in 1999. US President Donald Trump has also confirmed that he will attend the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur next month.
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