Indonesia has emerged as a key advocate for expanding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by supporting the bids of Timor‑Leste and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to become full members of the regional bloc. This advocacy, prominently voiced by President Prabowo Subianto during the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025, reflects Jakarta’s broader strategic vision that merges regional diplomacy, economic integration, and domestic development—particularly in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua.
The Bid for Inclusion: Historical and Political Context
Timor‑Leste, the youngest nation in Southeast Asia, has long pursued ASEAN membership since gaining independence in 2002. The country has held observer status at ASEAN meetings for over two decades, signaling its intent to integrate into the bloc’s economic, political, and security frameworks. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea’s aspirations date back to 1976, when it first formally expressed interest in joining ASEAN. Its proximity to Indonesia’s Papua province and its location as the largest Melanesian nation make it a natural candidate for association with Southeast Asia’s leading regional organization.
Despite their long-standing ambitions, both countries have faced procedural and political hurdles. ASEAN’s consensus-driven decision-making process, combined with requirements around geographic, political, and economic readiness, has delayed their accession. Indonesia’s recent public and diplomatic support is therefore a significant development in accelerating these bids.
Indonesia’s Role and Motivation in Backing Timor‑Leste and PNG
President Prabowo Subianto’s advocacy during the 2025 summit was clear and emphatic. He called for Timor‑Leste’s membership to be finalized “as soon as possible,” ideally within the current year, underscoring Indonesia’s desire to see its neighbor fully integrated into ASEAN’s community. Simultaneously, Prabowo proposed the formal initiation of discussions for Papua New Guinea’s accession, highlighting PNG’s geographic proximity and historical ties to the region.
Indonesia’s support for PNG was particularly notable given the country’s ambiguous status relative to ASEAN’s charter, which traditionally encompasses Southeast Asian nations. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that ASEAN was poised to begin formal discussions about PNG’s membership, indicating a shift toward a more inclusive regional vision.
Strategic Implications for ASEAN and Indonesia
Indonesia’s leadership in pushing for the inclusion of these new members reflects a larger strategic calculus. At a time when ASEAN faces increasing geopolitical competition from external powers such as China and the United States, strengthening the bloc’s unity and expanding its membership base can enhance its bargaining power on the global stage.
President Prabowo articulated this vision, stating, “In the current situation of geopolitical uncertainty, the stronger ASEAN is, the more we will be heard… Only those with strength will be respected.” By broadening ASEAN’s membership, Indonesia aims to forge a more resilient and cohesive regional architecture capable of addressing both internal challenges and external pressures.
Papua: The Domestic Dimension of Indonesia’s Diplomacy
Indonesia’s support for PNG’s accession is intimately linked to its domestic agenda in Papua, the resource-rich but underdeveloped easternmost province of Indonesia that shares a border with PNG. Jakarta views Papua as both a strategic gateway to the Pacific region and a priority for accelerated development and integration.
In recent years, Indonesia has intensified infrastructure investments, social programs, and cross-border cooperation initiatives in Papua. Agreements between Indonesia and PNG have expanded in areas such as health, education, infrastructure development, and scholarship exchanges. These efforts seek to foster people-to-people ties and improve the economic and social well-being of local communities along the border.
By facilitating PNG’s accession to ASEAN, Indonesia not only strengthens regional solidarity but also leverages this relationship to bolster stability and prosperity in Papua. The enhanced diplomatic engagement is expected to translate into greater cross-border cooperation, improved security arrangements, and joint economic development initiatives that benefit border communities on both sides.
Timor‑Leste: Economic Integration and Regional Stability
For Timor‑Leste, ASEAN membership represents a critical pathway toward sustainable economic growth and political consolidation. As one of the poorest countries in Asia, Timor‑Leste’s integration into ASEAN opens access to a combined market exceeding $3 trillion, facilitating trade, investment, and development assistance.
Moreover, ASEAN membership offers Timor‑Leste a platform for regional dialogue and cooperation, helping the young nation to consolidate peace and stability following decades of conflict and post-independence challenges. The economic benefits of ASEAN’s free trade agreements, tourism, and infrastructure connectivity are expected to spur domestic growth and diversification beyond the country’s heavy dependence on oil revenues.
Potential Challenges and Regional Concerns
Despite Indonesia’s robust backing, the accession of Timor‑Leste and PNG is not without challenges. Some ASEAN members have expressed reservations regarding the economic disparities and institutional readiness of these countries. Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei have voiced concerns over PNG’s lower level of economic development and its impact on ASEAN’s consensus-driven decision-making process.
Similarly, Timor‑Leste’s accession process has been cautious, with ASEAN evaluating the country’s ability to meet institutional and economic benchmarks. ASEAN’s emphasis on consensus and unity means that membership expansion requires careful balancing of interests and assurances that new members can contribute to, rather than complicate, the bloc’s cohesion.
Broader Diplomatic Impact in the Pacific
Indonesia’s active role in championing Timor‑Leste and PNG’s bids signals a renewed diplomatic focus on the Pacific region. By aligning closely with Melanesian neighbors, Indonesia aims to enhance its standing as a regional leader bridging Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
This diplomacy extends beyond ASEAN. Indonesia’s involvement in multilateral initiatives such as the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security, which includes PNG and Timor‑Leste, reflects its commitment to regional environmental and security challenges. Moreover, supporting ASEAN expansion facilitates Indonesia’s capacity to shape the broader Indo-Pacific regional architecture in a way that advances its strategic interests.
Looking Forward: ASEAN’s Enlarged Horizon
As ASEAN prepares to formally admit Timor‑Leste this October 2025 and initiate discussions on Papua New Guinea’s membership, the bloc faces a pivotal moment in its evolution. Indonesia’s strategic push illustrates a vision of ASEAN not only as a Southeast Asian institution but as a more expansive, inclusive, and geopolitically relevant regional community.
For Indonesia, the implications are profound: enhanced economic integration, greater diplomatic influence in the Pacific, and critical advances in the development and stability of Papua. The accession of Timor‑Leste and PNG could redefine ASEAN’s future trajectory, amplifying its voice on the world stage while fostering a more united and prosperous region.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s strong support for the accession of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea into ASEAN reflects a broader strategic vision that aligns its domestic, regional, and international interests. By advocating for ASEAN expansion, Indonesia seeks to strengthen the bloc’s unity and global influence amid growing geopolitical tensions. At the same time, closer ties with Papua New Guinea serve Indonesia’s internal goals, particularly in accelerating development and stability in its Papua region through enhanced cross-border cooperation and infrastructure projects. For Timor-Leste, ASEAN membership offers an economic lifeline and greater political legitimacy, which Indonesia views as essential for regional peace and integration.
This move also reinforces Indonesia’s diplomatic reach in the Pacific, positioning the country as a bridge between Southeast Asia and Melanesian neighbors. Supporting Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea helps Indonesia expand its role in Pacific affairs, improve regional connectivity, and project leadership in shaping ASEAN’s future direction. If successfully implemented, this initiative could mark a transformative chapter for ASEAN—evolving it into a more inclusive, cohesive, and geopolitically resilient organization—while simultaneously reinforcing Indonesia’s standing as a central force in regional diplomacy and development.
