KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will work closely with Timor-Leste on digital and telecommunications initiatives following directives from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has asked the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to expand cooperation in several key areas, including 5G development.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move follows the signing of two significant memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Malaysia and Timor-Leste yesterday, aimed at boosting collaboration between government agencies and institutions from both nations.
“We’re looking at connectivity. There are certain things that the Prime Minister has asked my ministry and MCMC to look at. We will likely assess sharing experience of rolling out 5G,” Fahmi told reporters at the international media centre after the opening of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits today.
Also present were Bernama CEO Datin Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Fahmi said Timor-Leste has expressed interest in Malaysia’s National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) initiative, as well as in developing subsea cable infrastructure.
He added that improved telecommunications access is already taking shape.
“From October 17, Malaysians who are travelling to Timor-Leste can get good Asean roaming packages, which were not available before,” he said.
“Malaysian and Timorese telecommunications companies are in discussions right now about having also better packages for data for travellers and tourists. So this is a very good first step.”
Fahmi also described Timor-Leste’s accession as Asean’s 11th member as “a very historic moment”, saying it reflects the bloc’s growing community and inclusiveness.
Earlier, Anwar officiated the opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, marking the start of three days of high-level meetings under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship 2025.
The ceremony, attended by Asean leaders, ministers, and delegates, began with the Asean anthem followed by Anwar’s opening address as Asean Chair.
More than 30 heads of state and government — including from the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada — are expected to take part in discussions focusing on regional peace, economic resilience, and inclusive growth under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” — October 26, 2025