Tax case, Govt denies TL lost in Arbitration Court in Singapore

Photo: google.com

 

*Independente, October 28, 2014; Timor Post October 25, 2014

 

 Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources (MPRN), Alfredo Pires informed that tax case between Timor-Leste and ConocoPhillips Company were still being simmered at the International Arbitration Court in Singapore and said the court had not yet made final decision for tthe case.

 

 “Until now, we have not yet received any information about final decision from the Arbitration Court in Singapore which said that Timor-Leste has lost in the tax case against ConocoPhillips Company,”

 

Alfredo Pires said as cited by an unnamed source.

 

 The source added that MPRN Alfredo Pires explained that Timor-Leste had 51 cases regarding petroleum tax and ConocoPhillips took 28 of the cases to be heard in Arbitration Court in Singapore and also in Dili District Court (TDD). Earlier, the TDD had decided Timor-Leste had lost in 16 cases, but the Government was preparing to make an appeal.

Meantime, the US oil company ConocoPHillips might sue back Timor-Leste government should the Singapore court decides to be infavor of the oil company.

On Saturday 25 October, Timor Post reported that a Timor-Leste government insider had worried they might have lost the case and had to payback the US Oil company to restore its good name.

"They find various ways [to avoid paying the tax] until we bring them to court. we hope that all the souls of people who died for this country would help us [to win the case]."