Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao also spoke after the signing of the declaration of its accession to the regional grouping. Timor-Leste, a country of 1.4 million people, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation and applied to join ASEAN in 2011.
“Today history is made,” Gusmao said. “For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey – one marked by resilience, determination, and hope.”
ASEAN membership brings immense opportunities in trade, investment, education, and the digital economy, he added. ASEAN is the fifth-largest economy in the world with a total gross domestic product of US$3.6 trillion in 2022.
“We are ready to learn, to innovate, and to uphold good governance, strengthening our institutions as we walk together toward sustainable development,” said Gusmao.
Anwar also stressed the importance of respect and reason among ASEAN members, as he cited the recent Thailand-Cambodia border dispute.
Tensions between the two neighbours erupted in July into the deadliest military clashes in decades, killing more than 40 people and forcing around 300,000 to flee their homes.
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire in late July – brokered in part by Trump – after five days of fighting and have since repeatedly traded accusations of truce violations.
Cambodia and Thailand are expected to sign their peace agreement later on Sunday, with Anwar and Trump.
“Our strength lies not in uniformity, but in the conviction that respect and reason still bind us together,” said Anwar.
“Later this morning, when Cambodia and Thailand sign their peace agreement here in Kuala Lumpur, the world will see what that conviction can achieve.
“It reminds us that reconciliation is not a concession, but an act of courage – and that peace, once chosen, can reshape the future of nations.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered on Sunday morning at Dataran Merdeka – Malaysia’s independence square – to protest the arrival of Trump to Malaysia. They are dissatisfied with the Trump administration’s perceived pro-Israel stance in the Gaza conflict that has seen almost 70,000 people dead.
Source: CNA
