Desaru: As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, it is confident that Timor-Leste will be a "very good new member" to the regional bloc, said the secretary-general of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob. Hairil expressed optimism about Timor-Leste's inclusion, which is expected to bring significant benefits, although concerns remain regarding the country's ability to meet its commitments.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hairil is upbeat that Timor-Leste is edging closer to achieving full ASEAN membership, marking an important milestone. The country is actively participating in the 47th High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) and the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (Prep-SEOM) for the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Desaru.

The 31st AEM is slated to be held on February 28, chaired by MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Before the meeting, the 12th Working Group-ASEAN Economic Community (WG-AEC) Meeting took place on February 22-23, while the 47th HLTF-EI meeting occurred on February 24-25. The Prep-SEOM for the AEM Retreat will be held on February 26-27.

Meanwhile, Hairil noted that for the first time in history, Timor-Leste has been allowed to participate directly in HLTF-EI and the Prep-SEOM discussions for the 31st AEM. He highlighted this as a significant milestone before Timor-Leste is officially welcomed as a full ASEAN member.

According to Hairil, capacity building and technical assistance from the ASEAN Secretariat will be crucial in ensuring Timor-Leste can align with ASEAN's principles and economic pillars. Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that Timor-Leste is expected to attain full ASEAN membership at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.

He mentioned that a dedicated unit has been established at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to expedite Timor-Leste's accession. Timor-Leste was first recognized as an ASEAN observer and joined the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2005 before officially applying for membership on March 4, 2011.

In 2022, ASEAN leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, agreed in principle for Timor-Leste to become the group's 11th member. The country has also been granted observer status, allowing participation in all ASEAN meetings, including plenary sessions.