Dili, Sept. 15, 2025 (Lusa) - The leader of the Independent East Timor Revolutionary Front (Fretilin) caucus, Aniceto Guterres, on Monday thanked the students for their protest against the MPs of the government parties, which led to the cancellation of the purchase of vehicles.
"Today, without a whole day or night having passed, the government benches have already begun to change their position. This is positive, it's what Fretilin had hoped for from the start," the Fretilin MP, leader of the Timorese opposition, told reporters.
Aniceto Guterres recalled that during the discussion of the General State Budget for 2025, last November, Fretilin presented a proposal to remove the money earmarked for the purchase of cars for MPs, but the government bench approved the measure.
"Fretilin's position has always been clear. We wanted to eliminate this budget because there are other priorities: the country has other needs, and the people face many shortcomings that need to be addressed," said Aniceto Guterres.
The MP also recognised that many parliamentarians already enjoy various privileges and therefore there is no need to purchase new vehicles.
Aniceto Guterres also regretted the incident that took place near the parliament.
The protests by Timorese students in front of parliament today, while the solemn opening ceremony of the third legislative session of the sixth legislature was taking place, were dispersed by the police with tear gas and rubber bullets, after the demonstrators started throwing stones and other objects at the building.
The students were protesting against the perks of the 65 deputies who make up the chamber, including the acquisition of new vehicles.
At 4 p.m. Timor-Leste time (8 a.m. Lisbon time), the young people continued their protest.
At a press conference, the leader of the parliamentary bench of the opposition People's Liberation Party (PLP) regretted that the parties supporting the government, the Congress for the Reconstruction of East Timor (CNRT, led by Xanana Gusmão) and the Democratic Party (PD), only decided to cancel the purchase of vehicles after the students' demonstration.
"Our position, right from the discussions on the General State Budget, was to cancel the purchase of vehicles for the MPs," said Angelina Sarmento.
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