KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — History was made today as Timor-Leste was officially welcomed as Asean’s 11th member, marking the culmination of years of effort and aspiration with the signing of the admission declaration at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
According to news outlet The Star, the atmosphere at the International Media Centre was charged with emotion as tears, applause, and cheers filled the room as members of the Timor-Leste delegation witnessed their nation’s long-awaited entry into the regional bloc.
Francisca Maia from the Timor-Leste delegation said the country’s entry into Asean marked not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter.
Fighting back tears, Francisca described the occasion as especially meaningful as she watched Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and President José Ramos-Horta take the stage.
Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao reacts as European Council President Antonio Costa consoles him at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur October 26, 2025. — Reuters pic
“We celebrate this moment, but our work is far from done. There’s still much ahead for us to accomplish, and Timor-Leste is prepared for it.
“They were our founding fathers, who fought for independence and to be a part of Asean.
“To see them making it happen is an extremely emotional moment and reflects our resilience. We know there is a lot of work ahead, but we are ready,” she was quoted as saying.
Journalist Remizia Boavida described the day as one of profound pride and gratitude.
“We’ve been working towards this for so long, and finally we are part of Asean. It’s such an emotional moment — thank you, Malaysia, and thank you, Asean,” she said tearfully.
Echoing her sentiments, Domingos Tilman, media adviser to the Timor-Leste president, said the nation’s success was the result of years of hard work and persistence.
The historic ceremony, presided over by Asean chair Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, signifies a pivotal milestone in the region’s journey toward deeper community integration.
