Timor-Leste to become Asean's Ilth member in October

Timor-Leste is slated to become the Ilth member of the Asean regional grouping in October, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sept 23 during a visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

- 

The accession will be formalised at a gathering of world leaders in Kuala Lumpur, confirmed Datuk Seri Anwar, whose country currently chairs Asean.

Timor-Leste is the youngest country in the region, having gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation.

"The accession of Timor-Leste to Asean will be of immense benefit to us all," Mr Anwar told a press conference after a meeting with Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta in the country's capital, Dili.

"We will certainly have a big celebration for your accession to Asean in October," he said.