PM Wong Awarded Timor-Leste's Highest Honour
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- Lawrence Wong received the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar) from President Jose Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace in Dili on Jul 3 during a two-day visit.
- The award recognises Singapore's contributions to Timor-Leste's national development and its support for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN, and is given to individuals — Timorese or foreign — who have made significant contributions to the country.
- PM Wong dedicated the honour to Singaporeans who have served in Timor-Leste, saying he received it 'not as an individual but on behalf of Singapore and the many Singaporeans who have contributed to the friendship between our two countries.'
- Singapore's peacekeeping footprint in Timor-Leste included more than 1,000 Singaporean personnel deployed in international peacekeeping efforts between 1999 and 2012, during the country's transition to peace and stability after independence in 2002.
- Wong used his Dili meetings to reaffirm Singapore's commitment to building Timor-Leste's human capacity, describing the country as 'youthful, filled with energy and promise' and praising the drive of its young people.
- Wong framed Timor-Leste's youth dynamism as a regional asset, saying it would not only propel national goals but 'breathe new life into our region and make ASEAN even more vibrant.'
Why it matters: The Grand Collar is Timor-Leste's highest honour, and awarding it to a sitting Singapore PM formalises a bilateral relationship that spans peacekeeping (1,000+ Singaporean personnel deployed 1999–2012) through to backing for ASEAN membership — a milestone that expands ASEAN's newest member-state ties with one of the bloc's most established members.
