Copyright malaysiakini
COMMENT | Today marks a deeply meaningful and historic milestone - Timor-Leste has officially joined Asean.For most people, it may seem like just another expansion of the region’s economic bloc, offering new markets and business opportunities. But Timor-Leste’s admission represents the victory of a nation’s quest for freedom, dignity, and self-determination against overwhelming odds.For me and my circle of activist friends, it signifies something far more profound - the fulfilment of our long journey for freedom and comradeship, and, for now, the closing of a personal circle.Back in the 1980s, when we were studying in Australia, the struggle for East Timor’s independence was among many issues of injustice on our student activism agenda.We were full of energy and conviction, fighting alongside fellow students from East Timor who were living in exile - far from their occupied homeland, yet never giving up hope.Together, we campaigned, protested, and spoke out for the liberation of East Timor from the brutal Indonesian military occupation.
