Survey shows that the majority of ASEAN citizens are in favour of Timor-Leste joining this organisation
The 5th Editions of the “State of Southeast Asia” survey, published last February 9th by the ASEAN Studies Centre of the ISEAS-Yusoh Ishak Institute in Singapore, reports that “61.5% of ASEAN respondents overwhelmingly support the accession of Timor-Leste”.
According to the poll, “the strongest expression of support came from Cambodia with 93.3% and the Philippines with 69.7%”. 67,8% of respondents in Indonesia support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
Of the participants who support Timor-Leste’s admission, “48.7% say that a new member will strengthen ASEAN’s unity and centrality”.
9.9% of respondents are confident that Timor-Leste’s accession will increase intra-regional trade and investment”.
Most Vietnamese respondents (70.0%) are optimistic that Timor-Leste’s accession will enhance ASEAN’s unity and centrality, well above the ASEAN average of 48.7%.
Only 15.8% disagree with Timor-Leste joining ASEAN, and 11.4% believe that nothing will change in ASEAN.
To carry out this survey, the ISEAS-Yusoh Ishak Institute surveyed a total of 1,308 people from ten Southeast Asian countries, including academics, researchers, representatives of the private and financial sector, representatives of civil society, non-governmental organisations and the media, government officials, and representatives of regional and international organisations.
The survey was conducted over eight weeks, from November 14th, 2022, to January 6th, 2023. Participants answered 54 topics related to regional geopolitics and the region's political, economic, and social situation.
