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 Malaysia |  Timor-Leste |
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East Timor–Malaysia relations orMalaysia–Timor-Leste relations areforeign relations betweenMalaysia andTimor-Leste. Malaysia has an embassy inDili,[1] and Timor-Leste has an embassy inKuala Lumpur.[2] Malaysia supported Timor-Leste to be one of the members ofASEAN and towards becoming a democratic country.[3]
Since 1999, Malaysia has contributed to manyUN peacekeeping missions on the country, such as one are theOperation Astute during the2006 East Timorese crisis.[3] Malaysia also has provided assistance to Timor-Leste in the area ofhuman resources development through various training programmes and providing assistance to Timor-Leste in its nation building efforts.[3] Currently, Malaysia has been consider by East Timorese as a model to develop their countries.[4][5][6]
Both countries are currently working together to expand the scope of co-operation and currently tangible signs of Malaysian presence in Timor-Leste can be seen in the form of restaurants, an English-teaching school and the supply of construction materials and spare parts for vehicles.[7][8] In 2014, amemorandum of understanding on cooperative development and co-operation signed between theUniversity of Malaysia Sabah and theNational University of Timor-Leste, 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 inoil and gas sectors.[11][12]
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 AmbassadorsMalaysian 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) |
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