Lere doubts to apply compulsory military

  

Major General Lere during F-FDTL anniversary. Photo: sapo.pt

*Independente, April 29, Language source: Tetun
The Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) commander, Major General Lere Anan Timur said Timor-Leste’s law was weak to apply compulsory military policy for all Timorese citizens of 17 years old of age.

Lere suggested the Ministry of Defense to create law to regulate all citizens to be knowledgeable of military rules and should define the statutes of the Timorese people who had double citizenships.

“Before implementing compulsory military, we should look at problems, such as our young people who are living in abroad and the people who have double citizenship are obliged to enter military or not,” Lere said in a discussion of implementing compulsory military policy in the meeting at State Secretariat of Defense office in Fatuhada of Dili on Friday 26.

Buanurak’s Irrigation is not functioning

USAid funded irrigation - Photo: blog.usaid.gov

*Timor-Post April 29, 2013 language source: TetunBuanurak Irrigation was allocated with U$14,822.09 by the Government for its construction, but it has not been functioning to supply water to farming communities’ rice fields.

The construction with Number 13/ 132/PDD/DST/-VQQ/2012, the referred irrigation canal was finished to be constructed, but it had not been used.

Committee E for infrastructure and communication has held a visit to take a look closer at projects, but the majority of the projects implementation did not guarantee a long term quality.

Director for Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery (MAFP) for Viqueque District, Fernando Soares said people had not used the irrigation as it had not supplied water to the rice field.

“The majority of the people left their rice fields as the irrigation is not functioning to provide water,” Soares said.


*Company leaves Muaimi irrigation
*Diario Nacional April 29, 2013 language source: TetunUrat Nero Company that constructs the Muaimi irrigation in Osoru, Umatamane village of Viqueque District left the project after receiving money from the Government. The irrigation has not yet been completed.

MP Manuel Branco from Committee E said they monitored directly to the irrigation in Viqueque in which the company left the project, adding that based on the information from National Agency for Development (AND) the total money that Government allocated to the project totally US $ 98, 531.67.

“We the committee E for infrastructure and communication calling on the competent ministry to investigate the company about the reason for leaving the project,” Branco said.

PNTL begin to train community police

Photo: eastimorlegal.blogspot.com

*Diario Nacional April 25, 2013 language source: Tetun
The Timorese National Police through the department of community police begin holding three-day training for the community police before assigning them in villages.

“Concerns which is from communities that the majority of conflict happening in the villages; therefore PNTL commands consider that it is necessary to collocate PNTL members in  communities to better help the security in the villages,”   Deputy Commander of PNTL Commissioner of Police Afonso de Jesus said.

De Jesus said firstly PNTL commands had not made changes to its members but, the commands would make change to districts commanders to better observe places before assigning its to remote areas. 



Blogger's note:

Another step towards achieving national security and strengthening law and order.

Minister Babo informs land issues to President TMR

Photo: Renova Timor

*Timor-Post April 23, 2013 language source: Tetun
Minister for Justice, Deonisio Babo informs the land and property issues to the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak (TMR) as the ministry of justice has made efforts to produce the law to resolve land and properties disputes in the country.

“I explained about the Land and Property Law to the president of the republic and we have contacted with civil organizations and international organizations to accumulate their opinions before presenting it to the Council of Ministers,” Babo said.

President TMR was happy with the work of ministry of justice as it have made efforts to produce law for the land to move forward with the land and property issues in the country, as it would impact the development process if the issue is unresolved.


Blogger's note:

The pending land law is one of challenges facing the country in attracting foreign investors. Investors are awaiting the out come of the law because that will guide them whether or not to invest their money in a country like Timor Leste where there is no clear cut on property rights yet. The land law, whether it is revised or issue a new bill, will have social impacts as there have been disputes and homicides before. Nonetheless, it is time for the country to get it done in order to start the economy going. Just get it done, Minister!

*MAFP will hold assessment to increase livestock in Timor-Leste

Photo: temposemanal.blogpsot.com

*Televizaun Timor-Leste, April 22, 2013 language source: Tetun

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFP) and RDP 3 will sign an agreement to increase numbers of livestock in Timor-Leste.

Speaking to journalists, Minister for MAFP, Mariano “Asanami” Sabino Lopes said this assessment was very important to help the Department of Husbandry’s officers to help increase livestock productions in the country.

The referred assessment could also help provide MAFP’s officers with new skills and experiences on how to increase productions in the country, Asanami said.

This program is financially funded by the European Union and is implemented by RDP 3 and MAFP. 

Blogger's note:

Mr. Assanami, you better be quick. otherwise your 10 years in office will have no history to share, no legacy to remember. Your agriculture subsidies through tractors, fila rai gratuita and seed have failed. you better make things work before the time comes.

Decentralization will improve people’s lives: Xanana

*Suara Timor-Lorosa’e April 22, 2013 language source: Tetun

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has called on intellectuals, veterans and civil society organizations identify Aileu people’s problems as municipality is aimed to improve the people’s lives.

Gusmao said during the Indonesian occupation it planned Aileu District to become center city, but it was not realized as Timor-Leste separated from Indonesia.

Gusmao called on Aileu District’s leaders to look at the decentralization system which was being applied in Australia and Portugal to be implemented in Aileu.

Blogger's note:

Guys (maluk jornalista sira), ask him more substantial and detail questions: "how improve is the improve people's lives" because it could be too general and mere political rhetoric. 

60 % of projects in poor quality

Poor Road quality. Photo: theconversation.com

*Timor Post, April 22, 2013 Language source: Tetun

State Secretary for Public Works (SEOP), Luis Vaz Rodrigues said projects in Dili, including in 12 districts such as road construction, bridges and buildings 60 percent were in poor quality.

“According to my observation to the projects in the territory almost 60 % of the projects have no quality,” Luis told journalists in Mandarin of Dili on Friday 19.

He added that to guarantee the projects quality, should not trust in Companies’ consultants and technicians because the consultants did not do their function properly.

Blogger's note:

When was the last time the government says its projects were of 100% good quality? stop fooling the public and get the job done.

GoTL calls for investigation into TT Company

Timor Telecom

*Timor- Post April 22, 2013 language source: Tetun

Deputy Minister for Telecommunication and Transportation, Flavio Cardoso has called on the competent institutions o investigate the operator of Timor-Telecom (TT) regarding telephone call which was accessed by MP Aniceto Guterres.

Cardoso said technically the list of telephone call that was printed out should be the responsibility of the operator of TT as they had data base of telephone call.

“I am calling on the competent institution to hold investigation into the case because the access of the list of telephone call can only be authorized by the court,” he said.

Blogger's note:

it is such a shame that the vice Minister is talking about what he knows not about. Just do a bit of reflection; what laws have you drafted or passed this far in relations to Telecommunications and Transportations in the country? why don't you talk about poor transportations from and to districts, unregulated transport fees, unprotected telecom consumers, not keeping and enforcing business contracts, etc? Whoever tapped the Ximenes-Lobato conversation, he/she is doing a bit of justice to simple people in the country where they continuously becoming victims of corrupt, abuse of power and inefficient government officials and justice providers. What a shame!

PN urges to investigate PNTL’s rank promotion

PNTL Promotion - Photo: Tempo-Semanal.com

*Suara Timor-Lorosa’e April 16, 2013 language source: TetunThe People’s representatives in the house of the Parliament continue urging the Committee B for defense and security to investigate the Timorese National Police (PNTL)’s rank promotion process.

“PNTL’s rank promotion has been concerns of some PNTL members who did not pass the test; therefore MPs in the Parliament should look at the issue to be investigated,” MP David Dias Ximenes said.

Ximenes said some PNTL members were doubtful about the rank promotion; therefore MPs should hold investigation into the case.

He added the psycho test was given by jurists from Indonesia and it was not involved by other countries, such as Malaysia, U.S. and CPLP countries.

UNPAZ should be closed down as some bachelors do nothing, says Gusmao

Rector UNPAZ - Lucas da Costa. Photo: The Dili Weekly

*Suara Timor-Lorosa’e April 16, 2013 language source: TetunPrime Minister Xanana Gusmao has threatened to close down the University of UNPAZ as it has no quality in teaching and learning strategy; therefore some bachelors know nothing when working for the  country.

“I am calling on Rector of UNPAZ, Lucas da Costa to improve quality of teaching and learning process at the university,” Gusmao said.

Gusmao said technically UNPAZ had been accredited, but it needed to be improved as the Government wanted quality of university to be improved..

PM Gusmao considered system of teaching and learning at UNPAZ was not qualified as it only had short semester.

Blogger's note:

The Prime Minister is taking almost everything into his hands, from the way how Corruption should be investigated to how to build  Municipality, from supply base to how universities should be run this time. What is this: a 'big state' or a social commentator? Suggest an alternative then!

PNTL will assign its member to all villages

Photo: www.conorashleigh.com

*Diario Nacional April 10, 2013 language source: Tetun

The Timorese National Police Commander (PNTL) for community police department Superintendent Boavida  Ribeiro said PNTL commands had planned to collocate its members to  442 villages in the country.

“This plan is from PNTL commands how to respond to the people desire in the villages. This year we hold training for PNTL members before assigning them to all villages in the country,” Ribeiro said.

Ribeiro said this plan was being implemented by Liquisa District police command; it was good example for all district police commands to follow this example.

Timor-Leste segundo país asiático com maior crescimento económico em 2013

Asian Development Outlook 2013

Publico, 9/4/2013

Timor-Leste é o segundo país asiático com maior crescimento económico em 2013 e único da sub-região do Pacífico com uma taxa de crescimento de dois dígitos, segundo as estimativas do Banco Asiático de Desenvolvimento.

O país lusófono apresenta, nas previsões do Banco Asiático de Desenvolvimento (ADB, na sigla em inglês), uma taxa de crescimento de 10,0% em 2013 e em 2014, quando a média para a Ásia é de 6,6% em 2013 e 6,7% em 2014.

O ADB justifica a taxa de crescimento de Timor-Leste com o mercado do petróleo e do gás natural.

O país com maiores perspectivas na região, segundo o ADB, é a Mongólia, cujo Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) deverá crescer 16,5% em 2013 e 14,0% em 2014.

Timor-Leste surge em segundo lugar, seguido do Turquemenistão, com 9,0% em 2013 e 8,0% em 2014.

A sub-região do Pacífico, onde o ADB inclui Timor-Leste, é a que apresenta um maior abrandamento da taxa de crescimento económico, que deverá passar de 7,3% em 2012 para 5,2% em 2013 e acelerar ligeiramente para 5,5% em 2014.

Estas estimativas foram apresentadas nesta terça-feira no relatório anual do ADB, que prevê que a economia da China cresça 8,2% em 2013, impulsionando por sua vez a recuperação da Ásia.

www.publico.pt

PN will contact MAFP to explain famine in Suai

*Suara Timor-Lorosa’e April 5, 2013 language source: Tetun
The People’s representative in the house of Parliament have called on the President of the Parliament to hold a debate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFP) to explain famine which is affecting people’s lives in Covalima District.

MP Natalino dos Santos from CNRT Party said the objective of contacting MAFP was to hold debate with MAFP to explain the famine and drought in Covalima District and how the Government could respond to it in the future.

He added CNRT bench was concerned about this situation, “I am calling on the Government to respond to it as the people in Suai were facing famine,” he said.

PN calls on MF to investigate Auto City Company

VPM La Sama saw the illegal importation of Cars - Photo: tempo Semanal

Suara Timor-Lorosa’e April 3, 2013 language source: Tetun

Parliamentary Committee E called on the Ministry of Finance (MF) to hold investigation into Auto City Company which was suspected of being engaged in falsifying document to import goods into the country.

“Manipulation of information was discovered by customs staffs that the company manipulated document to import goods from abroad into the country.” MP Pedro Martires said.

MP Da Costa said MF had competence to intervene and investigate the referred company as it would severe negative impact on taxation process in the country.

*Lasama calls on customs officers not to be afraid of threat

Photo: google image

*Timor-Post April 1, 2013 language source: Tetun
Deputy Prime Minister Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo has called on the Customs Department to investigate companies which import goods from abroad, but they have no proper documents; therefore it should not be afraid of any threat.

“If anyone tries to threaten you (Customs), asking them to threaten their grand parents in the grave as no one is powerful in this country, and we should abide by the law as the law is powerful in the country,” Lasama said.

Lasama called on all companies in the country to import goods which should legally have proper documents and must not manipulate its documents.

Portugal ready to train Timorese on setting up municipality

*Televizaun Timor-Leste, April 1, 2013 language source: Tetun 
Portugal’s Auto-tactic research training center is ready to provide training for public civil servants of Timor-Leste on the establishment of municipality in the country.

State Secretary for Administrative Decentralization, Thomas Cabral made the comments after holding an official visit to Portugal recently.

Mr. Cabral said they had made an agreement to send Timorese lecturers and public civil servants to Portugal for the training. 

“We have made agreement with Portugal to send our lecturers and public civil servants to Portugal to take part in the training,” he said. 

Timorese Pilots graduated from PhilSCA

5 Timorese pilot - newly graduated from the Philippine State COllege of Aeronautics. Photo: Camoes Hornay

The newly graduated Pilots with Timorese students in the Philippines. Photo: Camoes Hornay

Two of the five newly graduated pilots. Photo: Camoes Hornay

On CPD-RDTL issue

Photo: www.simonroughneen.com

Notes from the Blogger

Congratulations to the PNTL, and the Government specifically, on bringing back the CPD-RDTL members from Welaluhu rice field. The Police deserves a round of applause for dismantling the Resistance group's base without taking lives as many would have expected. It is probably the first success story of the 10 years old Institution and second after the Joint Operation with F-FDTL in 2008 that forced the petitioners surrendered unconditionally. 

If it were a dirty task, the Police handled it well. it is time for the government to do well the clean task which is to develop the agriculture and transform Timor Leste to be a food sustainable country. But i doubt there would be any miracle soon in the agriculture ministry. The CPD-RDTL had indeed made an important point that they deserve a credit for. 

During the last 10 years, the governments have failed to provide a sustainable agriculture that guarantee basic food for the country. Despite high state budget for the agriculture and fishery ministry in the IV constitutional government, food security are still unattainable as the farmers regularly hit by seasonal hunger and the country continuously importing rice from Vietnam. Where, then, have all of the money  been spent? it was said the money was spent on tractors, building irrigation, providing seeds and training farmers but the results are yet unseen. if it were not a stupid policy, it was an inefficient plan as CPD people have shown they still could run the rice field without tractors and government support seeds. 

It was, nonetheless a good news that there were no incident of killing or death because the story could have been different. Poor people might continuously become object to the government's resolutions the police power but watch out. Unless the government clean their inefficiencies and corrupt practices, the poor will still stand up one day for a just cause. The government has to stop its political rhetorics and show more results; it has to move on from politics to economy.

Hence, the CPD-RDTL issue is a reflection point for the government. 

Viva Povu RDTL

PNTL burns down CPD-RDTL's barracks in Welaluhu

*Suara Timor-Lorosa'e March 19, 2013 language source: Tetun

Coordinator of the CPD-RDTL [Timorese Resistance Organization] Mario dos
Reis said they would continue doing their cooperative activities in Welaluhu
despite facing unfair treatment from the Timorese National Police (PNTL).

"We have commission to monitor PNTL's activities, but they did not state
what Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao mentioned not to use violence or destroy
CPD-RDTL's activities but in fact they destroyed 18 hectares of their rice
field," he said.

Reis said they would not leave Welaluhu as some members of CPD-RDTL were
being detained in the Covalima Police station.

Police return CPD-RDTL members to their districts

Aitahan Matak

CPD-RDTL

*Radio Televizaun Timor-Leste, March 19, 2013 language source: Tetun

The Timorese National Police have returned CPD-RDTL [Timorese Resistance
Organization] members to their respective district.

Some of CPD-RDTL members refused to return, but the police approached them
to leave the place and were provided with humanitarian aid and medical
assistance.

There are more than 800 of CPD-RDTL members based in Welaluhu for about four
months, doing cooperative activities. Their rice and corn fields have been
handed over to local authorities to take care of them.

Police Commander, Afonso dos Santos said the police return members of
CPD-RDTL based on the Resolution of the Government without violence. 
   

Akara: Setting criteria before inviting investors

Photo: e-bay

*Timor Post, March 12, 2013 Language source: Tetun

Non-Governmental Organization (ONG), Luta Hamutuk agrees with President of the Republic's initiative to invite international investors to invest in Timor-Leste, but the Government should set criteria first to regulate them

"I think President of the Republic has strong reason to invite investors to invest in the country to reduce unemployment, but we are concerned about the criteria and hope the Government can establish criteria to define international investors in order to avoid problems that might happen afterward," Director for Luta Hamutuk, Mericio Akara told Timor Post on Monday 11.

Mericio Akara made the comments in regard to President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak's initiative to invite investors to invest in the country.

Japan is a strong Timor-Leste supporter - Ambassador Hanada

*Independente March 12, 2013

The Japanese Government has strong commitment to continue supporting Timor-Leste to develop its institutions of defense forces and police, the Japanese ambassador to Timor-Leste Yoshitaka Hanadasai.

Japan has been the one of the important donors for Timor-Leste since independence, the first donor meeting for Timor-Leste's development was held in Tokyo by the international community after referendum in 1999.

Japanese Government also sent 300 soldiers to join the UN mission to Timor-Leste in 2002-2004. Since 2002-2010, japan has contributed US$200 million to help Timor-Leste.

In 2011, Timorese Government decided to borrow money from Japan to develop its infrastructure, Mr. Hanada said that his Government's support was focusing on the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, including training for police and defense force member.

PTT venture to build condensate splitter in Timor

PTT - Petroleum Authority of Thailand

Hydrocarbon Processing

02.06.2013 

PTT International will own around 70% of the venture and petroleum firm Timor Gap will own the rest. The companies also agreed to jointly engage in condensate trading activities, he said, adding that the two deals require a combined investment of 5 billion baht ($168 million).


BANGKOK -- An overseas investment arm of PTT, Thailand's largest energy conglomerate, has clinched a joint venture agreement with state-owned Timor Gap to construct a 40,000 bpd condensate splitter in Timor, Thai Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said Wednesday.

PTT International will own around 70% of the venture and petroleum firm Timor Gap will own the rest, he told reporters without elaborating on the time frame for the project.

A portion of output from the plant will be supplied to PTT's petrochemical producers, said Mr. Pongsak.

PTT International and Timor Gap also agreed to jointly engage in condensate trading activities, he said, adding that the two deals require a combined investment of 5 billion baht ($168 million). 

PM Gusmao confident Timor-Leste can fight against poverty

PM Xanana Gusmao

*Televizaun Timor-Leste, February 5, 2013 language source: Tetun

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said despite there were many challenges in fighting against corruption, but he did believe that, public investment in the short and long term would help Timor-Leste to be out of poverty.

The prime minister made the comments during the plenary session of debating general state budget for 2013.

"With the proposed general state budget that, I present today will be invested in public investment for long, middle and long terms to fight against poverty in the country," he said.

Gusmao affirmed that, in this state budget there was a specification which would also invest new policies which were based on the Government's national strategic planning to strengthen stability of the country.

Alkatiri pledges Xanana to decrease inflation

Inflation and the poor people - Photo: internet

*Independente, February 4, 2013 language source: Tetun

Former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri proposes to decrease inflation by investing more in productivity sector, as a response to this issue, current Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao pledges to decrease the inflation.

Xanana Gusmao said even though the inflation was 11 percent, but there was a significant increase in the economic growth which achieved 15, 4 percent in 2011.

"We know that there is an increase price in food and raw materials which reduce Timorese people's capacity to buy their necessities," he said when presenting 2013 State Budget in National Parliament Monday 4.

He added that the Government would allocate the State Budget to Public and Private sectors and fishery to contribute to the productivity for short and medium terms.