Timor-Leste's Participation Boosts ASEAN's Global Power And Influence - Experts
By Nordiana Barka & Mohd Haidar Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 -- Timor-Leste's official admission as ASEAN's 11th member state has been described as a historic moment that will strengthen the position and influence of the regional bloc on the international stage, thus marking a new era in the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.
An analyst on Security and Politics at the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, said the entrance of Timor-Leste does not just increase the number of member states, but further expands ASEAN's strategic power and influence.
"Timor-Leste is situated in the Asia-Pacific circle, which is crucial to ensuring that it becomes a buffer to the expansion of ASEAN’s territorial range, thus strengthening the geostrategic element of regional security covering sensitive areas, especially the Indo-Pacific," he said when contacted by Bernama.
Noor Nirwandy said Timor-Leste has various green economic resources, tourism and strategic areas that also bring new life to ASEAN’s economic and geopolitical diversity.
"It will strengthen regional trade and open up opportunities in technology and innovation to bring a new form of prosperity in terms of a better ASEAN architecture,” he said.
He added that Timor-Leste's membership is proof that ASEAN will continue to grow as an inclusive, stable and influential region at the global level.
"ASEAN needs to move as a bloc, and the people must move together to build an identity, as well as avoid disputes, so that ASEAN remains a safe region.
"Many things, like rare earths, rare minerals, things that have not been explored by ASEAN, and this makes ASEAN one of the symbols or strategic places to form an economic consensus,” he said.
International Affairs and Law expert Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yazid Zul Kepli concurred, describing Timor-Leste's participation in ASEAN as an important move that signifies its first expansion of membership after more than two decades.
"This reflects the success of regional diplomacy and ASEAN's commitment to the principles of unity and inclusiveness among all Southeast Asian nations,” he said.
In addition, he said that Timor-Leste's participation showed ASEAN's capability to remain relevant and be open to new countries, despite facing global challenges.
"This also signifies regional solidarity in helping a young nation develop together towards peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia as a whole. Previously, there were allegations that ASEAN had failed because of the war in Myanmar, the crisis in Marawi (in the Philippines) and so on,” he explained.
Mohd Yazid said that although Timor-Leste is still developing and faces administrative constraints, ASEAN still offered it opportunities by providing an assessment process, technical support and a transition phase to ensure its successful participation.
"This approach symbolises the spirit of 'One Community, One ASEAN’, which emphasises collaboration and solidarity among member states.
"It also showcases ASEAN's commitment to not leave behind any country in the region, and instead help them to grow together towards stronger regional stability, prosperity and unity,” he said.
This is the fifth time that Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc's inception in 1967, having previously chaired in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
On Oct 28, Malaysia ceremonially handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines, which will assume the role on Jan 1, 2026.
-- BERNAMA
