Timor Leste turning 11 Years Old

Flags infront of Presidential Palace - Dili. Photo: Paizinho Tilman

Timor Leste is turning 11 years old but, in ordinary terms, what is there to celebrate?

On the security sector, there is one thing to be proud of, both the Defence Force and the Police are able to maintain national security post UN mission and continuously fighting issues at its frontier -  drug and human trafficking. Returning the CPD-RDTL members from Alas rice fields to their Districts was also another achievement. However, the issue on CPD is far from over yet. It remains a pebble in the shoe of Timorese government.

On the governance sector
The Xanana' government is trying to include the opposition to important government programs like the Special Economic Zone of Social and Market -Oecusse. This raised eyebrows of CNRT party militants  as the Prime Minister is trying to leave behind party-system, the winners rule, towards nationalist approach where capable Timorese are involved in development program regardless of their political opinion or affiliation. The question is, how far can all-embracing effort go? The V Constitutional government is also pushing its decentralisation program - Camara Municipio - if possible, the first four pilot municipal, to realise this year and the rest to follow in 2015. However, experiences have shown doing things the emergency way never work. This is an interesting area to look out for.

Comoro Bridge II. Is it worth a celebration?. Photo Johanes Hornai

On social services and basic infrastructure, by far, education and health care is free in Timor Leste but it is not without its setbacks. As much as education is concerned, the big size of Education Ministry is not taking effect yet. Along with he issues of poor quality education, the short-semester systems in Universities were criticised as low quality graduates only add up to the existing high unemployment rate. The civil society's suggestion for an increase in state budget for education sector should be taken seriously. Otherwise, medicine shortages in the National Hospital, poor clean water in Dili and regular power cut would hinder people from actively participating in the economic development.


On Justice sector
The recent case on Claudio Ximines and Aniceto Guterres shows how vulnerable the Timorese justice sector is. There is the need of further socialisation on the power separation among state institutions and justice should be make available to all citizens regardless of their economic and politic status.


Economy and Business sector
After 11 years of independence, undeniably oil remains as the backbone of the country's income.  Throughout the last five six years, the oil income compose of 90% of the state expenses. The diversification has been slow. Simply, the agriculture and tourism sector is not producing as it ought to be. The National Parliament has to work hard to pass the 10-year old proposed Land Law so that it gives confidence to private businesses and investors. Timor Leste is bidding to join ASEAN, the dream will come about in two years time. However, if it does not prepare itself economically, foster its local businesses and small industries, it will be absorbed into the high producing and export-oriented countries in ASEAN and therefore become a basket case for the ASEAN Economic Economic (AEC).

In short, Timor Leste has little to celebrate and much assignments ahead. The government has announced it has failed in achieving MDG but it can't afford to fail the ASEAN bid and development towards the 2030 dream. So, have just a little champagne and get back to work!