TIMOR-LESTE'S ENTRY, KL PEACE ACCORD MARK TWO HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS FOR MALAYSIA AS ASEAN CHAIR -- PMO
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste’s admission as ASEAN’s 11th member state and the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Cambodia and Thailand mark two historic milestones achieved by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair in 2025, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Prime Minister’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said Timor-Leste’s accession completes the united and sovereign Southeast Asian family.
He said Timor-Leste’s formal admission was not merely a diplomatic gesture but the result of Malaysia’s steadfast support over the years through training, technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.
“Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Thailand and Cambodia, witnessed yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump, marks the beginning of the end in the dispute between the two nations.
“It is a success rooted in the peace talks initiated by the Prime Minister last July,” he said during the PMO Daily Briefing, broadcast live on the PMO’s Facebook page today.
Tunku Nashrul said the move signalled both countries’ commitment to ceasing hostilities, releasing captives and allowing ASEAN observers, including Malaysia, to assess peace implementation on the ground.
Commenting on the second day of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Tunku Nashrul said discussions will focus on strengthening regional economic cooperation, digital transformation, clean energy transition and supply chain resilience.
He said five key summits will take place today, namely the 26th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-United Nations Summit.
“This underscores that ASEAN is not only a centre for growth but also a driver of stability and strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Tunku Nashrul added that the Prime Minister is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with other leaders before concluding the second day of the ASEAN Summit by attending the ASEAN Gala Dinner with leaders and dialogue partners.
“Insya-Allah, with the momentum built so far, Malaysia will continue to uphold its regional leadership with determination and confidence to strengthen ASEAN unity and advance cooperation that benefits the entire region,” he said.
Tunku Nashrul added that the first day of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits yesterday had served as a platform to enhance ASEAN’s strategic cooperation with its strategic and dialogue partners.
He said it also succeeded in expanding synergy in trade, digital, energy and sustainable development, further amplifying ASEAN’s voice on the global stage.
According to him, the five key meetings chaired by the Prime Minister yesterday were the 47th ASEAN Summit, the 13th ASEAN-United States Summit, the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 3rd Asia Zero Emission Community Leaders’ Meeting and the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, which was held virtually.
— BERNAMA
