Timor President Fully Supports Working Program with Australia

A Timorese non-governmental organization (NGO) has expressed serious concern regarding the third amendment to the resolution concerning operational matters of allowance payments during parliamentary recess. This resolution was supposed to be put to a vote in parliament but was subsequently withdrawn.

Criticism of Allowance Increase

According to La'o Hamutuk, the presented draft effectively provides for a substantial increase in the allowance for supporting political work, without adequate justification being provided. The NGO notes that the draft raises serious doubts about its compliance with the principle of monthly payment stipulated in the Deputies' Statute, and also points to a potential conflict of interest, lack of transparency and accountability mechanisms, as well as insufficient financial and tax basis.

Details of the Increase and Inequality

In its analysis, La'o Hamutuk argues that this initiative leads to a significant increase in the allowance for supporting political work: the annual amount rises from $10,600 (about €9,200) to $13,000 (€11,373). Despite acknowledging that the budgetary impact of this increase is minor, La'o Hamutuk believes that the discrepancy between the increase granted to deputies and the average income of the population raises important questions about the fairness and equality of this measure.

The NGO emphasizes that a worker earning the minimum wage, estimated at approximately $200 per month (€174.9), needs 12 months to earn $2,400 (€2,099), whereas a deputy receives this increase in one year, without any economic or social justification.

Consequences and Recommendations

La'o Hamutuk warns that adopting this proposal without necessary amendments could undermine public trust in parliament, weaken the legitimacy of democratic institutions, and create undesirable precedents in state affairs management. In this regard, the NGO recommends that parliament request an independent legal opinion clarifying the August payment regime, and also publish a tax impact study including an analysis of costs and benefits, impact on the parliament's budget, and the General State Budget.

Furthermore, the analysis suggests that parliament should provide an objective justification for the increase, supported by specific data on inflation, economic growth, transport and communication expenses, as well as parliamentary activities. La'o Hamutuk also proposes conducting public consultations. The NGO further advises starting discussions on creating an independent commission to determine deputies' remuneration based on international best practices and introducing a requirement for deputies to report on the use of allowances. Finally, the organization recommends that parliament conduct and publish a comparative study of deputies' allowances in countries with similar characteristics to determine a fair and equitable proportion.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore to Timor-Leste aims to consolidate the relationship between the two countries, promoting bilateral cooperation and deepening ties between the populations, as communicated by the Timorese executive.

Milestone in Bilateral Relations

Timorese authorities indicated that this is the first time a Prime Minister from Singapore has visited Timor-Leste, representing a significant moment in relations between the nations. The Timorese Government emphasized that Singapore has been a fundamental partner over the years, especially through its support for Timor-Leste's accession process to ASEAN and its capacity-building programs for Timorese officials.

Decoration and Commitment

During his stay in Timor-Leste, Lawrence Wong will receive a decoration from the Timorese President, José Ramos-Horta, being awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste. The presidential decree, published on Tuesday in the Jornal da República, mentions that Lawrence Wong demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening friendship and cooperation relations with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste during his tenure.

Objectives of Cooperation

The decree also adds that this path of cooperation, guided by a shared vision of peace, stability, and development, has been crucial for strengthening bilateral ties and establishing the necessary foundations for institutional advancement and national development. The Order of Timor-Leste was established in 2009 and has four categories: Grand Collar, Collar, Medal, and Insignia, with the purpose of recognizing the merit of individuals, whether national or foreign, who have contributed to the well-being of Timor-Leste, the Timorese people, or humanity.

The executive branch of Timor-Leste decided to grant a postponement for the farewell ceremonies for Lou Oló, explaining that his political path was 'deeply connected with the struggle for independence'. This decision was made considering the official positions he held and the large number of people wishing to pay tribute to Francisco Guterres. Francisco Guterres, known as 'Lou Oló', passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Malaysia at the age of 71. He served as President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste from 2017 to 2022, and also held positions as chairman of the Constitutional Assembly and the National Parliament. During his tenure as chairman of the Constitutional Assembly, he officially proclaimed the restoration of Timor-Leste's independence on May 20, 2002, and swore in Kai Rala Hanan Gusmão as President of the Republic. The farewell ceremonies began on Monday at his residence and will continue until today, with the funeral scheduled for Friday.