Malaysia–Timor-Leste relations

Malaysia–Timor-Leste relations

Malaysia
Timor-Leste

East Timor–Malaysia relations or Malaysia–Timor-Leste relations are foreign relations between Malaysia and East Timor. Malaysia has an embassy in Dili,[1] and East Timor has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.[2] Malaysia is supporting East Timor to be one of the members of ASEAN and towards becoming a democratic country.[3]

History

Since 1999, Malaysia has contributed to many UN peacekeeping missions on the country, such as one are the Operation Astute during the 2006 East Timorese crisis.[3] Malaysia also has provided assistance to Timor-Leste in the area of human resources development through various training programmes and providing assistance to East Timor in its nation building efforts.[3] Currently, Malaysia has been consider by East Timorese as a model to develop their countries.[4][5][6]

Economic relations

Both countries are currently working together to expand the scope of co-operation and currently tangible signs of a Malaysian present on East Timor can be seen in the form of restaurants, a school teaching English and the supply of construction materials and spare parts for vehicles.[7][8] In 2014, a memorandum of understanding on cooperative development and co-operation signed between the University of Malaysia Sabah and the National University of East Timor, a day before an MoU on healthcare been signed.[9][10] The total trade between the two countries has increased from U$10 million in 2012 to U$21.2 million in 2013 and the East Timorese government has expressed their interest to work with the Malaysian counterparts in oil and gas sectors.[11][12]

Diplomatic Relations

Malaysia recognized Timor-Leste immediately after its independence in 2002. The two nations established formal diplomatic ties in 2006 when Malaysia opened its embassy in Dili, followed by Timor-Leste's embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 2010.

List of Ambassadors Malaysian Ambassadors to Timor-Leste

Name Tenure Key Activities Sources
Zainal Abidin Mohamed Zain 2006–2009 Established Malaysia's first embassy in Dili The Star (2006)
Yahaya Abdul Jabar 2009–2013 Negotiated labor agreements for Timorese workers Wisma Putra (2009)
Zainal Abidin Bakar 2013–2017 Promoted Malaysian infrastructure investments Borneo Post (2014)
Izanee Che Ishak 2017–2021 Focused on education and palm oil trade Bernama (2017)
Mohd Khalid Abbasi Abdul Razak 2021–present Supports Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership bid New Straits Times (2021)

Timorese Ambassadors to Malaysia

Name Tenure Key Activities Sources
Joaquim da Fonseca 2010–2014 First resident ambassador in KL Timor Post (2010)
Filomeno Aleixo da Cruz 2014–2018 Advocated for migrant worker rights Suara Timor Lorosae (2014)
Joaquim Lopes da Fonseca 2018–2022 Expanded trade relations Tatoli (2018)
Marciano da Silva 2022–present Focuses on education partnerships Dili Weekly (2022)

References

  1. ^ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Dili". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Embassy of Timor-Leste Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia". Government of Timor-Leste. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR HUSSEIN HANIFF, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN TIMOR-LESTE, NEW YORK, 22 FEBRUARY 2012" (PDF). United Nations. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Timor Leste hopes to be associated with M'sian Parliamentary Friend". Bernama, The Sun Daily. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Timor Leste wants to emulate Malaysia's development plans". Bernama, The Borneo Post. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  6. ^ Adib Povera and Koi Kye Lee (1 April 2014). "Malaysia an excellent example for Timor-Leste". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Malaysian FM: Malaysia, Timor-Leste must expand scope of cooperation". Xinhua News Agency, two circles.net. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Timor Leste's diplomat with a difference". New Straits Times. 17 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  9. ^ Zuhrin Azam Ahmad (1 April 2014). "Najib: Country inviting new bids for oil and gas exploration and development". The Star. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  10. ^ Balqis Lim (31 March 2014). "iHEAL signs MoU to provide better healthcare in Timor Leste". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  11. ^ Koi Kye Lee (31 March 2014). "PM: Malaysia-Timor Leste to boost bilateral trade". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Timor-Leste Keen On Tie-Ups With Malaysia's 0&g Industry Players". Bernama. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
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