Kuala Lumpur, May 27, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has voiced strong support for Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea’s aspirations to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as full member states.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, President Prabowo urged for the expedited admission of Timor-Leste, currently an observer, into the regional bloc.
“We support Timor-Leste’s becoming a full ASEAN member as soon as possible—if possible, this year,” the President stated.
He also proposed the inclusion of Papua New Guinea, describing it as a “close neighbor” that has formally expressed its interest in ASEAN membership.
“With the increasing membership of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, I believe ASEAN’s role in the world will be further enhanced,” he added.
President Prabowo emphasized that expanding ASEAN is crucial in the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty. A stronger and more unified ASEAN, he argued, would elevate the region’s influence on the global stage.
“The stronger ASEAN is, the more we will be heard in the discourse of the great powers. We know now that only those with strength will be respected,” he said.
Highlighting ASEAN’s growing significance, Prabowo noted that the bloc’s population rivals that of the European Union, and its economic growth is among the fastest globally.
“This century is projected as the Asian century. Let us not underestimate our strength and power,” he said.
ASEAN currently comprises 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Timor-Leste, which joined as an observer, is expected to officially become ASEAN’s 11th member in October 2025.
