M’sia, Laos back Timor-Leste bid

Both countries also agree on solutions to Myanmar crisis

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Laos have reiterated their strong support for Timor-Leste’s full Asean membership and called for intensified, inclusive efforts to address Myanmar’s prolonged crisis.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said both countries agreed that it is time to fina­lise Timor-Leste’s accession process.

“(On Timor-Leste’s full Asean membership) hopefully by October, if we can retain a consensus in the meeting tomorrow (today), particularly during the retreat,” he said in a joint press conference with Laos Prime Minis­ter Sonexay Siphandone.

Timor-Leste officially applied for Asean membership on March 4, 2011.

Malaysia, which is Asean Chair, will host the 46th Asean Summit today, followed by the Asean-Gulf Coo­peration Council (GCC) Sum­mit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit tomorrow.

Forging stronger bonds: Anwar shaking hands with Siphandone after a four-eyed meeting.— Bernama

The Prime Minister said the situation in Myanmar was also raised during discussions with Siphandone.

“We discussed the need to continue humanitarian assistance and for all parties in Myanmar to respect the need for peace and an immediate ceasefire, and then to try and work through the Asean mechanism and understanding,” he said, Bernama reported.

Anwar also expressed appreciation for Laos’ commitment and cooperation in strengthening bilateral and regional ties, particularly in support of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year.

At another joint press conference, this time with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Anwar said the Asean Power Grid undersea cable project linking Vietnam to Peninsular Malay­sia and onward to Singa­pore stands out as one of the key achievements of this year’s Asean Sum­mit.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s strong support in advancing regional energy transition policies.

“The programmes we initiate, either in the context of multilate­ral Asean mechanisms or within bilateral Malaysia and Vietnam, you (Vietnam) have been very, very supportive,” he said.

Anwar greeting Chinh at a joint press conference at Perdana Putra.— Bernama

While acknowledging that some challenges remain, Anwar said both nations have agreed to strengthen collaboration through joint operations and enhanced security arrangements.

He also commended Chinh’s economic stewardship, describing Vietnam’s progress under his leadership as “phenomenal”.

“You (Chinh) yourself are an economist; you have done remarkably well.

“Despite starting from a low base after a period of devastation, your country has grown.

“The transformation that has taken place is something that we admire, and there are certainly lessons we can learn from your experience,” Anwar said.