JAKARTA - Timor Leste Police on Tuesday, September 16, clashed again with angry demonstrators over plans to purchase SUV official cars for members of the country's parliament.
This demonstration follows a similar mass action on Monday, prompting political parties in Timor Leste to immediately ask its cadres in parliament to cancel plans to purchase official cars.
Previously, political parties in Timor Leste had approved funding for the purchase of new official cars in the state budget for 2025.
The demonstrators have promised to continue their actions until the plan is officially canceled.
"We want the decision to buy the car to be canceled. This decision must be taken by the Chairman of the National Parliament," said 34-year-old Domingos de Andrade activist, to reporters, Tuesday, September 16, quoted from AFP.
In a demonstration near the Timor Leste parliament building, Dili, Tuesday, September 16, many demonstrators unfurled posters urging the purchase of official cars. One of the posters reads "Stop the thief."
Protesters burned tires and government vehicles near the Timor Leste parliament building. The protesters also threw stones at the officers on guard who were rewarded with tear gas shots.
More than 2,000 demonstrators, most of whom students from Dili have gathered near the National Parliament to oppose plans to procure the Toyota Prado SUV for each of the 65 members of the Timor Leste parliament.
Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta responded to the demonstration that led to this clash by saying he would take firm action against the perpetrators of the riots.
"There will be no tolerance for violence during demonstrations," Ramos told reporters, Tuesday, September 16.
"You can hold demonstrations to protest against the government and parliament when they make mistakes, but you shouldn't use violence," he added.
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In a joint statement on Monday, September 15, the National Congress for 'The Reconstruction of Timor, Democratic Party, and Enriching the National Unity of the Son-Men of Timor' said that vehicles for lawmakers "did not reflect the public interest" and promised to ask parliament to cancel the plan.
Timor Leste, Southeast Asia's youngest country, became independent from Indonesia in 2002. The former Portuguese colony is grappling with high inequality, malnutrition, and unemployment, with an oil-dependent economy.
Deadly riots erupted in Timor Leste last month after a video showing a police vehicle hitting a motorcyclist sparked public outrage over luxury facilities provided by lawmakers, low wages, and high unemployment rates.
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