Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão made it clear that his small and young nation has much to learn from its new Asean peers. Becoming Asean’s 11th member state earlier today was an emotional milestone for Gusmão and his island nation.
However, beyond his humility, Gusmão said Asean too could learn valuable lessons from Timor-Leste.
Speaking to Twentytwo13 after his press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this evening, Gusmão was asked what those lessons might be.
“Maybe in peace, and reconciliation dialogue,” he said.
“Because after 24 years of struggle, we decided to have reconciliation with Indonesia, and now we live as brothers.”
Gusmão was referring to Timor-Leste’s long and painful road to independence – first colonised by the Portuguese for 450 years, followed by a bloody 24-year Indonesian occupation.
The Portuguese withdrew in 1975, but Timor-Leste’s independence, declared on Nov 28 that same year, was short-lived when Indonesia occupied the island on Dec 7. During the occupation, more than 100,000 Timorese – mostly civilians – reportedly died.
The United Nations later administered the territory and oversaw its transition to independence. On May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste’s sovereignty was restored, making it the first new independent state of the 21st century.
Despite the immense suffering endured during Indonesia’s occupation, Timor-Leste chose reconciliation over retribution just two years after regaining independence – an effort to “heal the battle scars” between both nations.
Both governments sought a reconciliation model rooted in peace-building and state-building.
During the press conference, Gusmão credited former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for strongly supporting Timor-Leste’s aspiration to join Asean. In 2011, Yudhoyono had publicly declared that it was time for Timor-Leste to be part of the regional bloc.
Gusmão added that his country stood to benefit from Asean cooperation in many sectors, including agriculture and education. He admitted his nation was still relatively “poor” compared to its Southeast Asian neighbours.
In a 2022 interview with Twentytwo13, Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta pledged to “push Timor-Leste to a whole new level”, outlining plans to improve infrastructure, attract investment, and strengthen its place within Southeast Asia’s family of nations.
He also spoke about enhancing internet connectivity, expanding international airports and ports, and promoting the country through sports.
According to the World Bank, Timor-Leste’s economy grew by 4.1 per cent in 2024 – its fastest pace in years.
In a report last month, the Bank noted that while growth continued this year, sustaining momentum and ensuring long-term prosperity would require reforms to strengthen land governance, reduce reliance on the Petroleum Fund, broaden domestic revenue sources, and improve public spending efficiency.
