Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's initiative to host Timor-Leste officials under a special ASEAN attachment programme has been lauded as a timely and strategic move to support the country's path toward full ASEAN membership. Timor-Leste's Liaison Officer for ASEAN Affairs, Ivan Jerry Bengurion Ferreira Alves, said the programme provided invaluable exposure to ASEAN's operational processes and strengthened institutional readiness across key sectors in Timor-Leste.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme, coordinated by the ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat (AMNS), involved officials from Timor-Leste's Prime Minister's Office and three ministries, focusing on two key areas - logistics and documentation. This hands-on experience builds confidence within the public service and helps develop standard operating procedures aligned with ASEAN norms.
Alves added that officials gained skills in event coordination, documentation, and managing high-level delegations, which are critical for hosting future regional meetings. Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, formally applied for ASEAN membership in 2011 and was granted observer status in 2022. It has since actively participated in ASEAN meetings under a phased roadmap to full membership.
Alves emphasized that the long-term impact of the attachment programme would be reflected in institutional improvements, knowledge transfer, and national preparedness. The initiative is not just about individual growth; it aims to strengthen systems and demonstrate Timor-Leste's readiness to contribute meaningfully to the ASEAN community.
As part of its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Malaysia has launched a structured initiative to support Timor-Leste's integration through a dedicated capacity-building programme. Under this initiative, selected Timor-Leste officials are embedded within the ASEAN 2025 Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA) and AMNS, with training modules focused on peer learning in areas such as documentation, inter-agency coordination, meeting logistics, protocol, media engagement, and security.
Alves noted that Malaysia's practical support has already enhanced Timor-Leste's institutional capacity, expressing interest in continued cooperation beyond the attachment programme, including in trade facilitation, public administration, and digital governance. Timor-Leste's accession gained momentum this week with ASEAN leaders and foreign ministers at the 46th ASEAN Summit reaffirming their support and acknowledging the country's significant progress in implementing the ASEAN Roadmap.
Held under the ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the summit marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing ASEAN, following its previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two major engagements - the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit - are held to further strengthen ASEAN's strategic inter-regional partnerships.