Díli, Sept. 2, 2025 (Lusa) - Timorese civil society and student representatives from three of the country's universities on Tuesday criticised the Timor-Leste parliament's purchase of vehicles for the 65 MPs worth US$4.2 million (€3.6 million).
"UNPAZ [University of Peace] rejects and totally disagrees with the childish political decision by MPs to buy 65 new vehicles at a total cost of US$4.2 million from the state budget," said UNPAZ student senate spokesman Leo Salsinha at a press conference on the university campus.
The spokesman called on the speaker of parliament and MPs to prioritise solving the real problems of the population and their living conditions, before satisfying interests considered excessive.
According to official data, multidimensional poverty in Timor-Leste affects around 48% of the population, which numbers around 1.4 million inhabitants, and malnutrition affects around 47% of the people, mainly women of childbearing age and children.
The country also faces several structural challenges in the health sector, education and basic infrastructure.
"We consider it unnecessary to buy luxury cars for the MPs, because the cars they use are still in good condition and there is no indication that they are broken down," said Leo Salsinha.
In a statement released on Monday, Cedelizio Moniz, spokesperson for the students of the Universidade Oriental de Timor-Leste (UNITAL), said that action will soon be taken against the parliament's decision if it is not reviewed.
"The students of UNITAL deeply regret and totally disagree with the national parliament's policy of acquiring luxury cars for the 65 MPs. This is nothing new, but it has become a habit or culture from the first to the sixth legislature," said the spokesperson.
The students of the National University of Timor-Leste also lamented and criticised the lack of sensitivity on the part of the state and the seriousness of the MPs for not making effective and efficient decisions for the well-being of the population.
According to the students, alternative sectors are not working and the country remains dependent on the oil fund, while MPs persist in acquiring luxury vehicles without effective oversight of the implementation of government programmes.
The Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations of Timor-Leste (FONGTIL) also called on parliament to cancel the decision to purchase the 65 vehicles, stressing that the population is facing a social, economic and health crisis.
The parliament justifies the purchase of new vehicles for the 65 MPs on the grounds that the current ones are dilapidated and involve high maintenance costs.
DPYF/AYLS // AYLS
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