By Xinhua,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia and Timor-Leste must work closely to expand the scope of cooperation, especially on the latter’s economic expansion, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
In achieving this goal, the Malaysian Government would continue to encourage the private sector to venture and explore opportunities available in the former Indonesian province which was now an independent state, he said.
“Bilateral relations between Malaysia and Timor-Leste have always been warm and cordial. “The relationship is enhanced further by Malaysia’s continued commitment in assisting Timor-Leste in its rehabilitation and development efforts,” the Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted Rais as saying.
The minister was speaking at the handing-over ceremony of 100 units of personal computers (PC) from the Malaysian Government to Timor-Leste in Putrajaya.
Malaysia has provided substantial technical assistance to Timor-Leste through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), said Rais, assuring that the country would continue the assistance within the scope of the program.
“The donation of the personal computers is simply a gesture of goodwill from Malaysia to the government and people of Timor-Leste.
“In fact, Timor-Leste had actually requested for used PCs. However, considering the close relations between the two countries, Malaysia decided that Timor-Leste deserved more than just second-hand PCs that would ensure a longer span of usage and one that is compatible with current software applications,” Rais added.