Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has praised Timor-Leste President Jos© Ramos-Horta as a leader who embodies moral clarity and courage, inspiring the region with his leadership.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar spoke at a fundraising dinner hosted by Ramos-Horta, themed “Timor-Leste: Building a Shared Future with ASEAN.” The event was attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, and Berjaya Corp founder and chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

Anwar highlighted Ramos-Horta’s tenacity and conviction, describing him as a rare voice of conscience in global politics. He emphasized Malaysia’s strong support for Timor-Leste’s full admission into ASEAN as one of his primary goals as ASEAN Chair.

Anwar stated that Malaysia is committed to assisting Timor-Leste in its journey towards regional integration, despite the challenges involved. He revealed that Malaysia provided funds through the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and sent staff to assist Timor-Leste.

The Prime Minister encouraged Malaysian businesses to invest responsibly in Timor-Leste, advocating for economic cooperation rooted in fairness and shared growth. He emphasized the importance of technology transfer, training, and community contributions in business ventures.

Ramos-Horta expressed gratitude towards Anwar, considering him a mentor, and acknowledged Malaysia’s steadfast support during Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence and its pursuit of ASEAN membership. He invited Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in key sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, coffee, and tourism.

The dinner celebrated Timor-Leste’s formal entry into ASEAN and aimed to raise funds for the Timor-Leste Foundation for Children’s Future, an initiative led by Ramos-Horta.