23/09/2025

TUESDAY | SEPT 23, 2025

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Anwar on first official visit to Timor-Leste

members Malaysian community and alumni of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme, deliver a lecture under the Presidential Lecture Series at the Presidential Palace and officiate at the site of the upcoming International Convention Centre in Dili. Amarjit described the visit as “highly significant”, both to reinforce bilateral relations and to highlight Malaysia’s role as Asean chair, Bernama reported. “Malaysia has consistently supported Timor-Leste even before its independence in 2002.” Malaysia–Timor-Leste bilateral trade reached RM85 million in 2024, with about 250 Malaysian companies active in the services, construction and trade sectors. About 150 Malaysians, mainly professionals, entrepreneurs and skilled workers, are currently registered with the Malaysian Embassy in Dili. Since Aug 16, Malaysians have enjoyed visa-free entry to Timor Leste in line with Asean integration efforts to ease cross-border movement. Timor-Leste formally applied to join Asean in 2011. of the

Anwar is scheduled to arrive at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport at 3pm local time, where he will be received by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil will join the Malaysian delegation. Malaysian Ambassador to Timor Leste Datuk Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh said Anwar’s official programme would begin with a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace, followed by a courtesy call on Ramos-Horta. He said in the evening Anwar would attend a state banquet hosted jointly by the president and prime minister at Lahane Palace. He added that the following day Anwar would deliver a keynote address at the National Parliament, hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Gusmao at the government palace, witness the exchange of MoUs and take part in a joint media conference. Anwar is also expected to meet

DILI Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on his first official visit to Timor-Leste today, reaffirming Malaysia’s strong backing for the country’s long-standing aspiration to join Asean. The two-day trip is historic, being the first by a Malaysian prime minister to Dili in 22 years, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties while supporting Timor Leste’s readiness to become Asean’s 11th member. minister to Dili in 22 years, underscores nation’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties (TIMOR-LESTE): o Two-day trip historic, being the first by a Malaysian prime

Nation receives unmanned aerial vehicles from Japan KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia received 14 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and seven rescue boats from Japan yesterday under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) initiative, marking a significant boost in defence cooperation between the two nations. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said six UAVs would be allocated to the army, six to the Royal Malaysian Navy and two to the Malaysian Armed Forces’ Cyber and Electronics division.

Malaysia to elevate defence ties with S. Korea ROYAL WEDDING ... The Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is set to tie the knot with Afzaa Fadini Abdul Aziz on Oct 2 at Masjid Istana Diraja Istana Alam Shah, Klang. The reception and royal dinner will be held on Oct 22 at the Balairung Seri and Balai Santapan Diraja Istana Alam Shah, respectively. – BERNAMAPIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to elevate its defence ties with South Korea into a strategic and practical industry partnership, reflecting both nations’ shared commitment to peace, security and technological advancement, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said the Malaysia–South Korea partnership, which has steadily grown in strength and significance, has now reached a milestone with the decision to deepen defence and security cooperation, including closer industry collaboration and the tackling of non-traditional threats such as cybercrime. “Malaysia is ready to learn from South Korea’s expertise, embrace technology transfer and pursue co development and co-production,”he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Korea Third Defence Industry Cooperation seminar yesterday. Present were Korean ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Sung-Bae and Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Kwon Dae Won. Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia regards South Korea as a trusted friend and capable partner, citing Seoul’s world-class defence industry

spanning aerospace, surveillance, cyber defence and advanced manufacturing. “Dialogue alone is not enough. This is the moment to act – from goodwill to outcome, from mere partnership to constructive progress. Malaysia believes that with Korea’s guidance and friendship, our defence industry will transform aspiration into achievement.” He added that the partnership is timely, given the rapidly evolving security landscape where threats extend beyond conventional domains into cyberspace, outer space and the electromagnetic spectrum. “When we succeed, our collaboration will not only strengthen national security but also contribute to peace and stability in the wider region.” Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia is expediting a government-to government procurement agreement with South Korea, which is expected to be tabled for Cabinet approval by October. He said once endorsed, South Korea would become the second country after Turkiye to formalise such an exclusive arrangement with Malaysia. – Bernama

He said the OSA initiative provides non-lethal defence equipment to partner countries, with Malaysia joining the Philippines, Bangladesh and Fiji as this year’s recipients. “The close ties between Malaysia and Japan are no longer confined to traditional areas but now extend into defence. Both countries believe that stability in Southeast Asia benefits not only the region but also contributes to global security,” he said after the handover ceremony. Present were Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata and Army Chief Jen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. Mohamed Khaled said the Japanese-made defence equipment

Mohamed Khaled being briefed on the UAVs by Muhammad Hafizuddeain (third from left) at the event yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Loke said the incident is now being investigated by several agencies, including Sirim, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) and other authorities. “Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd has already submitted a report to me, and Niosh is also carrying out its own probe.” – Bernama “The international community is facing major geopolitical shifts. It is essential not only to strengthen our own capabilities but also to work together to foster a peaceful and stable international environment based on the rule of law. “Cooperation with Malaysia is very important for Japan.” – Bernama location near the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca.

worth RM12.63 billion was part of an asset acceptance agreement signed in 2023 between the Malaysian government and the Japan International Cooperation System. He said the OSA package also includes two road-cleaning lorries, currently in the tender stage. Meanwhile, Shikata said Malaysia was chosen as one of the first four OSA beneficiaries due to its strategic

‘No disruption to ECRL project due to gas pipeline leak’ KUALA TERENGGANU: The gas pipeline leak at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) site in Kerteh last Saturday, involving Petronas Gas Berhad, will not disrupt the project’s progress, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke . repair works by the relevant parties. “I don’t think it will affect the ECRL because, usually, a gas pipeline leak doesn’t cause an explosion. This is not like the Putra Heights incident, it’s different,” he said after launching the BAS.MY Kuala Terengganu Service Transformation Programme at Pasar Payang yesterday. He said swift action was taken to shut off supply once the leak was detected, followed by immediate