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Regional Identity and Belonging: Timor-Leste and ASEAN

  • SUVANNABHUMI
  • Abbr : SVN
  • 2020, 12(2), pp.119-140
  • DOI : 10.22801/svn.2020.12.2.119
  • Publisher : Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies
  • Research Area : Social Science > Area Studies > Southeast Asia
  • Received : January 30, 2020
  • Accepted : July 7, 2020
  • Published : July 31, 2020

Khoo Ying Hooi 1

1University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Candidate

ABSTRACT

Emerging from Portuguese colonialism and Indonesian occupation to become one of the newest states, Timor-Leste is an interesting example of modern nation-building. Geographically, Timor-Leste is located in the area covered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In such context, Timor-Leste has a strong claim to belonging to Southeast Asia. Timor-Leste nevertheless has not yet been admitted formally as a member despite its application for membership in March 2011. This paper locates Timor-Leste in a broader context of their construction of regional identity and as part of Southeast Asia. Drawing upon the constructivist approach, this paper suggests that the complexity of Timor-Leste’s regional affiliation with ASEAN is made more challenging with its quest to assert itself as a nation-in-the-making.

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