President TMR Challenges the Political Elite of Timor-Leste

For the first time in Timor-Leste's history the Head of State, President Taur Matan Ruak, has made a public declaration of personal assets. Not only has President Ruak made public his own assets but also those of his wife and children.  In what is viewed by many as a direct challenge to the political elite of Timor-Leste President Ruak has not only submitted a asset declaration but has made the documents public.  Tempo Semanal has obtained copied just hours ago.

In the office of every Minister, Vice Minister, Secretary of State and senior civil servant in Timor-Leste there is talk of this bold step by the President of Timor-Leste.  They know that this action is directly pointed at them.

Declaration of Personal Assets President Taur Matan Ruak 22 Aug 2012

Declaration of Personal Assets President Taur Matan Ruak 22 Aug 2012

Declaration of Personal Assets President Taur Matan Ruak 22 Aug 2012

In doing so President Ruak has strongly challenged the Government, opposition parties and the leadership of the civil service to follow his example.

At 11:00 AM Dili time the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste make public his asset declaration. The First Lady and President's Chief of Staff met with Dr. Claudio Ximenes President of the High Court for 20 minutes to submit the asset declaration documents. Speaking to journalists in front of High court the First Lady said, “Today I come here on behalf of the President of the Republic and accompanied by the President’s Chief of Staff to submit the President's asset declaration.”

There are growing concerns and discussion in Timor-Leste about the matter of politicians and civil servants making personal asset declaration. Many people said it’s only a kind of maneuver by the politicians. But Isabel Ferreira said, “We will make available to the public the copies of the President's asset declaration so people have full knowledge of what assets the President hold.  Let the people judge.”

“We will distribute the copies of the declaration document of the President's, those of his wife as well as his children.” She reiterates.

In a press statement President Ruak stated:

"The Office of the President is a public office that I have been entrusted with to perform a constitutional role that is critical to the functioning of the State. The Office is not a tool for my own personal enrichment.

By making this declaration of my personal assets and through annual declarations I shall, in accordance with my responsibilities to all citizens and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, demonstrate that I do not and will not use my position to enrich myself and to practise such corrupt behaviour.

In the jungle we used to talk of a Timor-Leste free of the corruption of others who have come to rule over us. Many Timorese shed their blood for this dream. We must not forget the patriotic ideals that guided us in the past. They are now consumed by the virus of corruption. I call upon all members of government, national parliament, the courts and all public officials to join with me to present full and complete declaration of personal assets annually.

Let us all stand firmly in this fight to make a strong, free and prosperous Timor-Leste. Those who choose not to join in this struggle against corruption should ask themselves if they are truly fit for public office. It is the people of Timor-Leste, whom we serve every day, are the true judge of the credibility of those in public office and in the end our people make the final decision of our fates."

The law indicates that public officeholders must submit their asset delcaration to the court but that it not need be public, but the First Lady said “we want to make it public and if the public wants to know they may come to High Court and ask for it. But President of the Republic want to make it available to the public to allow citizens to act as watchdog on making sure the President follows through on campaign pledges for clean government and good governance.  This is based on the President’s political commitment during his campaign on the issue to fight the corruptions in our young nation of Timor-Leste.”

Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto Carlos, made public asset declarations in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  He was the only member of the AMP Government to do so.

The public is happy with the President attitude to saw the example to the members of public officers in the country. "I think what the President and his wife is doing is good example to the Timorese and will hopefully make those in power to do the same as President did this morning," Pedro Rodrigues  Amaral told Tempo Semanal.

ABERTO CARLOS SIMU VMNE TAN RESPONSABILIDADE BA TL LA’OS VENCIMENTU BOOT

TEMPO SEMANAL, 21/08/2012

Tuir notta de imprensa ne'ebe foin daudauk foo sai katak iha hafoin loron sia nolu resin rua Presidenti da Republika tama iha aitarak laran iha loron 22/08/2012 primeira dama sei representa xefe do estadu atu ba hatoo deklarasaun asset iha Tribunal de Rekursu. Presidenti. 

Avizu ba media sira nee dehan, "aban tuku 11:00 dader S.E. Primeira Dama, Dra. Isabel Ferreira, ne’ebé atu reprezenta S.E. Prezidente Repúblika atu ba Tribunal Rekursu hodi aprezenta ba Tribunal S.E. Prezidente ninia lista propriedades pesoal (bens pessoais/personal assets) tuir ne’ebé responsibilidade ida ba povu Timor-Leste tomak."

Durante de kampania elitoral Taur Matan Ruak hatudu komitmentu ba kombate KKN hodi hamosu mosu pontus ikus husi pontus sanolu ne'ebe iha.

Problema KKN iha nasaun nee buras maka’as. Diretores sira riku lalais liu fali nune’e ema barak ne’ebe kaer kargu publiku sira. Iha deskonfianca maka’as ba oficiais estadu ninian barak mak liman naruk no lakon daudaun sira nia moe hodi foti utiliza sasan estadu ninian ba sira nia interese familiars ka pesoal. Estadu Timor Leste hahu hariku ema grupu balun maibe povu maka sei dudu hela karoza terus nian mas ukun nain sira ne’e barak maka lakon ona fuan. Iha momentu ne’e Tempo Semanal (TS) deskobre ema balun ne’ebe assume kargu publiku mak sei iha fuan hodi hatan ba lian sadik husi lei no moral hanesan Vice Ministru Negosiu Estangeiru (VMNE) DR. Alberto Carlos (AC) hodi hasai deklarasaun asset ba publiku depois de hatama ba Tribunal de Rekursu. DR. alberto Carlos hatuur standarte ida hodi foo sai mos ba publiku kada tinan kona ba ninia riko soi hahu husi 2010, 2011 no 2012. Mai ita akompania hamutuk intervista eskluxivu ne’ebe Jornal nee halo ho eis Vice Ministru Negosio estrangeiro depois de husi ninian kargu iha dia 08/08/2012.

TS: Tan ba sa maka sr.vice Ministru hakarak deklara ita ninia asset depois publika ba publiku?

AC: Hau agora la’os Vice Ministru ona. Portantu bolu deit hau Alberto Carlos.

Hau halo hau nia deklarasaun ba públiku dala tolu ona.

Primeiru: Fulan ida antes hau atu simu posse hanesan Vice Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros (Setembro 2010). Hau halo hau nia deklarasaun ba riku soin, assina e konvida maluk oan ida, DR. Antonino Gonçalves, atu sai sasin ba hau nia deklarasaun ne,e.

Segundo : Hau halo hau nia deklarasaun riku soi bainhira hau assume ona kargu hanessan VMNE durante tinan ida nia laran. DR. Antonino Gonçalves mos sai sasin ba hau nia deklarasaun.

Terceiro: Hau halo hau nia deklarasaun riku soin ba dala tolu bainhira hau husik hau nia knar hanesan VMNE iha dia 8 de Agosto 2012. 

Hau hakarak deklara hau nia riku soi i depois tau ba público hatene tan ba hau sai vice Ministro atu serve povo, serve estadu. Portantu binhira assume knar hanessan ne’e hau hatene katak sei envolve utilizasaun riku soi estadu/povu nian ba aktividades nebe estadu fiar mai hau. Hau lakohi povu loron ida dehan katak hau uza ka estraga osan estadu arbiru ka uza ba hau nia interesse. Antes de sai hanessan membro governo hau iha hau nia sasan/rikusoi rasik nebe hau hetan hosi servisu nebe todan, hisik kossar, terus i dala ruma servisu iha perigu nia laran. Hau lakohi ema atu hateten katak hau hetan buat sira ne ho dalan nebe la los.  Hau sempre hakarak servisu ho honestidade  ba hau nia nassaun ho povu, lakohi han matak estadu. Servisu ho dignidade i iha integridade. Hau lakohi katak hau nia familia hetan moe bainhira hau han matak estadu/povu. Hau hakarak sira lao iha dalan ho kontente, oin foti. I hau mos lakohi hatudu exemplu la diak ba hau nia familia, liu liu ba hau nia oan sira.

TS:  Razaun saida maka ita simu kargu hanesan vice Ministru wainhira kompara vencimentu nebe ita simu iha kargu anterior hanesan servidor UNHCR boot liu fali duke vice ministrui da?

AC: Hau simu kargu hanesan vice ministru la'os tamba vencimento. Hau simu ta nba "ORDEM HOSI NASAUN" ATU DALA IDA TAN BELE KONTRIBUI LORI NASAUN NE'E BA OIN. TAN BA IDA NE'E HAU HUSIK HELA HAU NIA SERVISU ULUK KE HETAN VENCIMENTU BO'OT TEBES HANESAN STAFF INTERNASIONAL IHA SUDAN (UNHCR) I FILA MAI TIMOR HODI SIMU KARGU HANESAN VICE MNE DURANTE FULAN 22 NIA LARAN. Hau la exige katak estadu tenki selu hau diak, i hau mos la exige buat ida tamba hau nia dever hanesan sidadaun. Hau simplesmente hakarak serve povu ida nebe terus durante tempo barak nia laran hatudu hau nia responsabilidade moral, solidaireedade ba ema barak ke terus liu hau iha tempu uluk. Tan ba ida ne'e mak hau simu kargu nebe tau mai hau nia kabas. Vencimento bo'ot la’os hau nia objectivo.

TS: Tuir ita boot ninia hanoin sa lisaun importante mak ita hetan iha servisu hanesan Vice Ministru?

AC: Lisaun bo'ot maka hau hetan iha servisu hanesan vice ministro katak interesse nasaun nian ita labele kahur ho ita nia interesse pessoal. Interesse nacional ita tenki tau iha fatin a’as liu du ke interese grupu ka interesse privadu.

TS: Karik iha benefisiu ekonomia ruma ba ita wainhira assume kargu hanesan vice Ministru?

AC: Benefisiu ekonomiku???..Susar oituan hau atu dehan katak iha. Justamente pelo contrario. Bele hare iha hau nia deklarasaun riku soi. Iha 2010 iha hau nia konta bankaria iha mais ou menos US$ 65,000. Iha 2011 bainhira hau simu hau nia pensaun hosi UNHCR hau nia osan iha banku  sae ba mais ou menus US$ 85,000. Agora, to’o dia 8 de Agostu 2012 iha hau nia konta bankaria iha US$ 66,000.00. Se hanesan ne’e ita bo’ot maka hare deit ba. Maibe hau kontente tamba hau bele hetan fiar no oportunidade atu serve povu no estadu ida ne'e.

TS: Maibe notta katak ita ninia osan durante tinan rua la sae. Nee tan ba sa?

AC: Hau nia osan la sae tamba osan nebe ke hau simu hanesan vice ministru la to'o para hau nia gastus iha familia nia laran. Osan tenki uza ba han hemu, selu oan sira nia escola, oan ida escola iha rai liur, actividades sociais mos iha, i hau nia "pendapatan" maka ida nebe estadu fo mai hau fulan fulan. Hau laiha tan negocio seluk, i la hetan tan osan seluk hosi ema seluk. Tamba ida ne'e maka hau nia osan hanesan nebe ita bo’ot hare iha hau nia deklarasaun riku soin la aumenta.

TS: Oin sa Sr. Alberto Carlos ninia hare’e ba importancia atu kombate KKN no haburas kultura transparencia no akountabilidade iha nasaun nee?

AC: Ida ne'e importante tebes se ita lakohi ita nia nasaun monu ba rai kuak. Ita tenki moris iha dignidade nia laran para labele halo ita nia maluk sira seluk terus ka sofre. Tranparencia ne'e importante atu nune bele iha kontrole hosi povu, sociedade civil. Iniciativa ida rua ho actividades barak ke halo ona hossi Governo diak no precisa intensifika liu tan, tenki for forsa ba KAK atu bele halao sira nia knar ho diak. Kombate KNN tenki tau iha prioridade ida nebe as/bo'ot, Tenki komesa hosi ita ida idak nia an rasik, ita nia uma laran, sociedade. Tenki komesa cedu para bele kontrola nia antes ke nia moris i buras. Bainhira existe ona ita hotu tenki hamutuk hodi fokit sai nia abut para labele dezenvolve. Ida ne’e ita halo ba interesse nasaun, interesse ema barak nian. 

TS: Agora la iha ona kargu politiku no ba oin saida maka ita boot sei halo? Karik atu fila ba UNHCR?

AC: Hau seidauk iha planu atu halo buat ida. Hau sei uza tempu oituan para deskansa depois maka buka halo tok buat ruma. Hau sai ona husi UNHCR bainhira hau fila mai halao knar hanessan vice ministro. Hau tenta hela atu hatama fali hau nia aplikasaun. Bainhira sira precisa karik ema sira ho kualifikasaun hanessan hau, talvez ke sira bele simu fali hau. Se lae, hau tenki kria rasik actividades balu para bele preenche hau nia tempu. Hanessan sidadaun hau pronto atu serve nasaun bainhira deit nasaun precisa, atu hanesan ho kargu uluk, atu mos hanesan "varredor da rua" ida ou atu hanessan ema baibain ida. Hau bele mos komesa hahu hau nia negosiu kiik ruma para bele sustenta hau nia familia ho ema nebe karik precisa hau nia tulun.

Sergio: "He shall be remembered, always" Ramos-Horta.

A little over ten years ago on 19 May 2002 Sergio Vieira de Mello handed over sovereignty to Timorese leaders as the head of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor.  Timorese sometimes had a difficult relationship with Sergio Vieira de Mello as UN Administrator, but they were difficult times.  When it came time for de Mello to leave Timor-Leste on 20 May 2002 he was viewed as being a friend of Timor-Leste, as son of Timor-Leste.

Nine years ago today, the 19^th August 2003, Sergio Vieira de Mello was killed in the terrorist suicide bombing attack on the Canal Hotel, UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

The day after De Mello’s death on FALINTIL Day 20 August 2003, Xanana said "Our nation mourns the death of a unique and unforgettable friend. He fought tirelessly for democracy, human rights and sustainable justice for the people of East Timor."

Nobel Peace prize Laureate and former President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, told Tempo Semanal this morning that "Sergio Vieira de Mello was the best diplomat the UN had. He was a friend of Timor-Leste, a good friend of mine. He shall be remembered, always.”

Formation of the Fifth Constitutional Government of RDTL

Tempo Semanal can share with the Timorese publics the original letter from Xanana Gusmao to President Taur Matan Ruak requesting formation of the  Fifth Constitutional Government of RDTL - along with the list of proposed members of the Government.

For full list document visit Tempo Semanal media files on facebook fanpage here.

TEMPO SEMANAL RELEASES PNTL WEAPONS PURCHASE / IMPORT DOCUMENTS

Tempo Semanal Exclusif

Tempo Semanal can report that on 24 July 2012 PT PINDAD Deputy Director Weapons Systems Triyono Andri Susilo issued instructions for export of weapons to Timor-Leste's national police service, via Packing List No. 16/PL/DS/P/BD/VII/2012 PM2v1 Submachine guns.

This newspaper reported on this issue here "PNTL Loses Weapons: Commander Longuinos Monteiro In Charge" on 9 August 2012 in addition to "PNTL LOSES WEAPONS AND BUYS FAULTY ONES" on 11 August 2012.

Tempo Semanal can now report it has total import documents for public review on its new facebook fanpage that can be viewed here.  Including 

1. PT PINDAD packing list for PM2v1 submachine guns, 
2. PT PINDAD packing list for  SAR-2 anti riot guns, 
3. Merpati weapons cargo export invoice, 
4. PNTL customs invoice, and 
5. letter from PNTL General Commander Longuinos Monteiro demanding customs expedite process for PNTL weapons imports.

The complete import documents are available for public review on its new facebook fanpage that can be viewed here.

PNTL WEAPONS

 Tempo Semanal Facebook Fanpage http://www.facebook.com/TempoSemanal

PNTL LOSES WEAPONS AND BUYS FAULTY ONES

PNTL buys PINDAD weapons and PNTL Intelligence Commander loses his semiautomatic assault rifle.

Gun Procurement/Importation

PM2v1 Submachine gun PT PINDAD

In a startling development almost entirely unknown to the public Tempo Semanal can report that PNTL have procured a number of high powered PM2 submachine guns from PT PINDAD Indonesia. 

A senior PNTL officer informed Tempo Semanal that the PM2 submachine guns purchased from PT PINDAD were found to be faulty during a training session last  Saturday. In the mean time Secretary of State Francisco Guterres said he has requested the presence of the relevant company responsible for the procurement of the weapons to answer for the poor quality of the quality of the PT PINDAD products.  Guterres confessed he does not know which company was responsible for the importation of weapons for PNTL into Timor-Leste.  He stated that Commander Longuinos Monteiro was responsible for this matter.

“I did approve some amount of money to buy 75 PM2 weapons. I entrusted to the PNTL commander who has knowledge in this regard. But there was some questions regarding the quality and sutibaility of these weapons. So we just brought in five unit for testing and these weapons appear of poor quality,” said Francisco Guterres, Secretary of State for Security.

According to the packing list number 16/PL/DS/BD/VII/2012, dated July 24th 2012 PT.PINDAD (PERSERO) sent five units of sub machine gun cal. 9mm PM2-V1 to the PNTL (East Timor National Police). The Deputy Director of PT PINDAD signed the letter. Based on the reference order number 12000513 dated February 21th 2012.

On the same day the Directorate Weapon’s System signed of a packing list no. 15/PL/DS/P/BD/VII/2012 for 30 anti riot gun SAR-2. 

In a request letter to head of East Timor Custom on 30/07/2012 PNTL General Commander Longuinhos Monteiro demanded that the weapons be handed over to PNTL.

There were four boxes arrived in Dili, Airport by Merparti Aero plane (MZ 8480) and is confirmed with manisfest which signed by Mr. Basilio de Araujo from PNTL and Mr. Aurelio A. Tilman from DAU on 31/07/2012.

Speaking anonymously a senior customs officer told Tempo Semanal, “the items was not allowed to be check by the Customs Authorities and was released immediately so we do not know how many weapons were in fact imported into the country.”

The customs officer further told Tempo Semanal, “the total numbers of weapons appear to be same as those declared on the paper but this PNTL officer act very suspiciously.”

When asked by Tempo Semanal a number of civil society actors seeking anonymity questioned why the PNTL needs such high powered weapons, in a country when the most common threats to public safety are domestic violence, occasional martial arts clashes involving sharp weapons such as machete. Certainly far below the needs for submachine guns.

This is hardly the community policing style that certain members of the Government have been calling for for some years.

Missing Gun

In the mean time Timorese in Dili are preoccupied with the PNTL mismanagement of their weapons which causes some to be lost, stolen or even perhaps sold. Last night PNTL conducted road blocks and stop and search process in the heart Dili searching for a missing FNC semiautomatic assault rifles along with 60 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.  As reported yesterday, this weapon was lost or otherwise misplaced while in the possession of the Commander of PNTL (East Timor National Police) Intelligence Unit. 

PNTL General Commander Longuinos Monteiro

However, in answer to probing questions from the public Longuinos Monteiro PNTL commander has dismissed the case as not being a serious matter. However, Deputy Prime Minister Fernando Lasama has stated it is a most serious matter and demanded that the weapon be recovered immediately.

"I don't think it will give any negative impact to the state with one missing weapon," said Mr. Longuinhos after the meeting with President today.

Yesterday the Secretary of State for Security urged that the case be investigated and that the PNTL Intelligence Commander be suspended. However at the time of writing the officer remains at work in his office at PNTL HQ in central Dili, despite COmmander Longuinos assuring media and public inquiries with statements that the officer has been suspended.

Ex-Vice Minister Sets Standard: Declaration of Assets

Alberto Carlos taking oath of office with President Horta 2010. 

The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs in the IV Constitutional Government, Alberto Carlos, has set a standard for public officials in Timor-Leste.

On 8 August 2012 on the day of the swearing in of the V Constitutional Government he released his third and final declaration of personal assets as the outgoing Vice Minister - leaving office.

Alberto Carlos is the only member of any current or previous Timorese governments to ever make public comprehensive declaration of personal assets.

In 2010 he came into office with approximately 65,000USD cash and some property - this newspaper reported on his earlier declarations of personal assets..  He has left office with approximately $66,000 cash and property - same as in 2010.  It would appear as though Mr. Carlos did not abuse his office for personal financial gain.

In a country where public officials are regularly using pubic funds and public office for personal benefit the standard being set by Senhor Alberto is both brave, and encouraging.  What is less encouraging is that despite thousands upon thousands of hours and words spoken on anti-corruption made by the Govt and KAK and the Opposition, no one else in Timor-Leste has made such a real and practicial effort as this hero of anti-corruption efforts in Timor-Leste.

During the Indonesian occupation we had our resistance heroes.  During peacetime and nationabuilsing time we need our heroes of clean government - Mr. Carlos has set standard for the rest to follow and improve on.

Tempo Semanal has obtained a copy of the declaration of personal assets made by outgoing Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Albeeto Carlos on 8 August 2012 - yesterday.  It is witnessed as being a true statement / declaration by Antonio Goncalves - a Judge at Dili District Court.

2012 Declaration of Personal Assets Vice Minister Alberto Carlos

Aug 2012 Declaration of Personal Assets Page 1

Aug 2012 Declaration of Personal Assets  Page 2

Morever, when Vice Minister Carlos was sworn into office in 2010, he provided his first declaration of assets.  When comparing the declaration on day he entered office with the day he left office it appears as though he has not increased his personal wealth more than a 1 or 2 thousands dollars.

2011 Declaration of Personal Assets Vice Minister Alberto Carlos

July 2011 Declaration of Personal Assets Page 1

July 2011 Declaration of Personal Assets Page 2

2010 Declaration of Personal Assets Vice Minister Alberto Carlos

2010 Declaration of Assets

2010 Declaration of Assets

PNTL Loses Weapons: Commander Longuinos Monteiro In Charge

PNTL Commander Longuinos Monteiro

When it comes to weapons control the General Commander of PNTL, Longuinhos Monteiro, has usually denied responsiblity and placed blame on the UN.

But the UN is no longer in charge and he is, and is therefore responsible for the actions of his command, the PNTL.

Alfredo and Susar with an FNC rifle in 2006.

Tempo Semanal can report that the PNTL, 10 days ago, under the command of His Excellency General Commander Longuinos Monteiro, has lost an FNC semi -automatic rifle. The matter was being kept secret until Tempo Semanal obtained the information just within the last 24hrs.  PNTL High Command and His Excellency General Commander Longuinos Monteiro wanted to keep the matter secret given the swearing in of new government.

It is reported from insider sources that a senior and high ranking officer in the PNTL with the initial OA had an FNC semi -automatic rifle taken from his car on the evening of 30 July 2012.  It is understood that OA is the member of a martial arts group and there may be some mysterious intra martial arts group conflict connection to the theft of this weapon.

FRETILIN MP David Ximenes (above) had strong words for the issue of PNTL and weapons control some time ago.

Tempo Semanal was told there has been no report to the government related ministry since the gun missing. According to the witnesses the car was parked some where in Pantai Kelapa Dili. Tempo Semanal was told that the serial number of the weapon is 117251. There was an order to have an investigation into case by tomorrow, missing with the FNC weapon were two magazines means 60 bullets in the two magazines.

Missing weapons as of January 2011 - PNTL

This is not the only PNTL weapon missing. PNTL Longuinos Monteiro has ben trying to hide the incompetence of his command when is comes to weapons control for some time.  This paper reported on weapons losses in 2011 when it showed dozens of weapons were missing.

Thomas De Deus Soares a University student raised his concern over the missing weapon and urged the minister for Defence and security to take a strong and immendiate action to pursue the weapon and punish the police officer.

“I think when the authorities lost their weapon may create panic to the community and I urged Prime Minister Xanana to take necessary action to recover the weapon and in the mean time the police officer must responsible for the failure,” said soares.

“I fell sorry to heard this information and I think there is big problem with the weapon management in PNTL. Because we heard that there are PNTL weapons still at large since 2006,” he added.

KRESIMENTU EKONOMIA NO KUALIDADE MORIS POVU TIMOR

(Fernando d’ Silva),
Aldeia Maukiak, Suco Matahoi, Uatolari
Alumni UNWIM Bandung, Jawa Barat.
                                 
Normalmente medida produtu agregadu ba rendementu nasional hatudu husi indikador Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tamba nee iha ekonomia modernu, GDP nee rasik konsidera hanesan media indikador ekonomia ho nia sentido katak GDP nebe a’as hatudu situasaun nebe diak liu ou bele mos bolu hanesan valor ba kresimentu ekonomia. Indikador ida nee hahu introduz husi Simon Kuznets iha 1934 no komesa uja iha II guerra mundial atu determina kapasidade produktiva iha periode funu nee nia laran.

Timor Leste mos nasaun ida nebe adapta medida GDP atu representa mudansa situasaun ekonomia nasional. Rekursu barak mak indika kona ba kresimentu GDP Timor iha tinan hirak ikus nee. http://data.worldbank.org rekorda resultado kresimentu ekonomia versaun GDP Timor Leste nebe  iha tinan hirak hikus nee hatudu sinal positivu. Annual persentagem GDP iha tinan 2005 (6.2%); 2006 (-5.8); 2007 (7.8%); 2008 (13.2%); 2009 (1.9%). Resultado ida nee hatudu iha mudansa no progresso ba ekonomia timor entre tinan 2007 too 2009.  Maibe  kresimentu ekonomia Timor versaun GDP, bele reflete duni kualidade moris ka lae? Pergunta nebe karik ita hotu hein atu hetan ninia resposta.
Saida mak kualidade moris? Kualidade moris signifika sai husi linha pobreza. Pobreza (menus ou laiha kualidade moris) laos defini deit husi aspeitu ekonomia mas pobreza signifika malnutrisaun, tempo moris badak, menus bee moos no saniamentu, analfabetismo, menus asesu ba edukasaun, kultura, mediku, oportunidade ba kredito (finansa).  “Non si può definire la povertà soltanto in termini economici. Povertà significa anche malnutrizione, aspettativa di vita più breve, carenza di acqua pura e di igiene, malattie, analfabetismo, negato accesso all’istruzione, alla cultura, alle cure mediche, alla possibilità di ottenere credito o altri vantaggi finanziari “ (ECU, Scuola Mattei, Sustainable Development ; P.45)

Relasiona ho kresimentu ekonomia timor, assuntu nee konsidera hela hanesan kestaun importante no koriozu tebes iha sosiedade sira nia leet. Povo hahu husi “aileba” to’o studante no mos individu oin-oin koalia hela oinsa kresimentu ekonomia Timor neebe realmente la kondiz ho ekonomia Timor ohin loron. Povo sira iha foho mos hahu tur no diskuti atu komprende  oinsa boot sira (Lideransa sira) nia koalia kona ba kresimentu ekonomia nee rasik. Sira (povo) mos hakarak atu komprende affeta kresimentu ekonomia nee ba sira nia moris nebe sira rasik sidauk sinti. Ho liafuan badak, nivel kresimentu ekonomia a’as la lori solusaun ne’e a’as ba numeru  pobreza ne’ebe sei a’as (se osan nebe sirkula iha nasaun barak liu tan, kiak mos bele a’as liu tan).

Hakarak ka lakohi, simu ou lae, realidade hatudu duni katak iha duni kresimentu ekonomi. Maibe iha parte seluk, povo mos defisil liu tan iha sira nia moris ho situasaun ida nee. Orsamentu ho montante bo’ot mak aprova husi parlamentu hamosu kresimentu sirkulasaun monetaria nebe lori ba too Inflasaun (Global finance rekorda inflasaun 7.6% iha 2008). Aprovasaun orsamentu nee mos sidauk bele hatan nesisidades povo sai husi linha pobreza. Klaru katak sei iha nafatin, dalan a’at, ahi mate lakan, sistema edukasaun sidauk masimu, produsaun produtu lokal seidauk lao diak no masimu , dezempregu, etc.
GDP Timor hanesan indikador progresso ekonomia Timor nebe interesante tebes ho situasaun Timor ohin loron. Ita bele buka atu hatene dadus barak nebe refere ba GDP Timor, mas ita mos labele haluha atu oinsa medida GDP nee interpreta lolos atu povo mos hatene saida mak kresimentu ekonomia versaun GDP nee rasik. Nune’e, GDP reflete duni kualidade moris ka lae? Kuando ita interpreta klehan liu tan, GDP hanesan indikador ekonomia nebe refere atividade ekonomia hotu, iha mos ninia forsa e frakeja balun nebe presija mos tau iha konsiderasaun.

Pontus importante husi GDP mak representa medida atividade hotu relasiona ho progresu ekonomia. Indikador ekonomia ida nee rezume informasaun ekonomia ho quantidade numero ne’ebe tuir mai hanesan barometer ida ba formulador politika ekonomia hodi foti deisizaun ba kondisaun ekonomia nebe nasaun enfrenta. Kresimentu GDP reprezenta kresimentu ekonomia nebe ikus mai bele mos atrai investor ba investementu dezenvolvementu rai laran.

Aplikasaun GDP hanesan medida situasaun ekonomia, enfrenta mos defeitu balun nebe tuir mai hau koko atu analiza ho situasaun real nebe Timor hasoru.

GDP konsidera krime, devorsidu no dizastre naturais hanesan benefisiu ba kresimentu ekonomia. Hanoin katak GDP hanesan negosio ou transasaun hotu nebe relevante ba monetaria hanesan fatore positivu. Iha nasaun dezenvolvedu barak, assuntu krime, devorsiadu hamosu despesa orsamentu nebe boot. Assuntu seluk hanesan dezastre naturais nebe Timor mos esperensia iha kuaze distritu hotu, resulta gastos nebe laos oituan. Tamba nee mak assuntu hirak nebe relasiona ho krime, devorsidadu no dizastre naturais iha relasaun positivu ho kresimentu ekonomia. Signifika katak kresimentu ekonomia bele mos representa positivamente husi numero dezastre naturais, devorsidadu no krime.

GDP konsidera deplesaun kapital naturais hanesan rendementu. Atividade deplesaun rekursu fiziku (Physical resources) nebe disponivel ba iha futuru fo benefisiu ba “moris diak / well being”. Asunto ida nee iha ligasaun ho situasaun ekonomia Timor ho ninia dependensia tomak ba rendimentu husi Tasi Timor hanesan mina no gas. Rendementu hirak nee sertamente fo benefeisiu ba kresimentu ekonomia. Kuando rendimentu barak affeita mos ba kondisaun ekonomia sa’e. Iha parte ida nee, importante tebes atu formulador politika tau atensaun oinsa jere rendementu nee ba investementu dezenvolvementu sustentavel. Investementu nebe laos ba ohin loron deit mas bele mos fo benefisiu  iha futuro hanesan Brundtland commission (World Commission on Environment and Development “Our Common Future 1987”), nebe relata kona ba definisaun dezenvolvementu sustentavel. “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Definisaun ida nee iha sentidu intertemporal nebe involve jerasaun ohin loron no jerasaun futuru. Tamba ne’e mak kualidade investementu ohin loron importante tebes atu bele eziste ho sustentavel.

GDP la konsidera distribuisaun rendimentu. Assuntu ida nee representa situasaun Timor nebe mesmo ho orsamentu boot aprova husi parlamentu iha tinan hirak ikus nee laos signifika hadia kualidade moris. http://www.transparency.gov.tl relata informasaun orsamentu geral nebe hetan kresimentu husi tinan ba tinan. Maibe impakto positivu saida mak populasaun sira bele sinti ona ho situasaun ida nee? Realmente, populasaun barak mak nafatin ho ninia situasaun ekonomia ou alias “jalan di tempat atau bahkan mundur” mas iha parte seluk ema balun esperensia benefisiu (“free rider”) husi orsmanetu boot nee. Salariu ofisial altu nivel estadu hanesan deputadu no ministro sira nebe sae makaas fo benefisiu ba kresimentu ekonomia. Orsamentu pakote referendum no pakote-pakote seluk, konsidera mos hanesan meio ba kresimentu ekonomia. Relasiona ho hirak nee, GDP la rekorda progresso infrastrutura nee rasik. Signifika katak  GDP foka liu ba montante orsamentu no laos output real ho ninia benefisiu ba povo. Iha parte ida nee mos, GDP la rekorda gap sosial hanesan  relasaun pobreza ho rikeja. Politika nee mak hanesan mos fator ida hamosu inflasaun nebe atualmente mai husi kresimentu sirkulasaun monetaria iha sosiedade, liu-liu iha Dili. Atu habadak deit katak, atrativu monetaria nebe reprezenta husi sirkulasaun orsamentu  iha sosiedade,  finalmente sei resulta kresimentu ekonomia nasaun (GDP sa’e).

Iha pontos barak nebe diskrebe oinsa kondisaun ekonomia nebe adopta medida GDP laos totalmente represente qualidade moris nasaun ida. Razaun, tamba GDP foka liu ba atividade monetaria ou gastos orsamentu nasaun ida. Maibe gastos ida nee bele mos laos siginifika diretamente ba hadia populasaun nia moris. Tamba nee mak numeru orsamentu nebe boot, presija mos ezekusaun nebe optimu no seriu ba sosiedade nia moris.  “We cannot assume that things are getting better (improved life conditions) just because more money is spent!”

Iha “study case” nebe familiar ho ekonomista sira kona ba aplikasaun GDP nee. Nune’e tuir mai repete deit iha artigo ida nee (ECU, Scuola Mattei, Sustainable Development; P.13) hodi sai mos referensia ba oinsa ligasaun GDP ho Kualidade ema nia moris.

GDP iha state Alberta rekorda entre 1961 too 1996, GDP sa’e makaas mas pobreza mos iha tendenzia atu sae. Iha mos atividade ruma nebe mensiona tuir mai sai mos referensia oinsa GDP iha relasaun kontrariu ho kualidade moris. Eksplosaun sidade Oklohama, USA iha 1995 ameasa boot ba situasaun ekonomia USA. Mas realidade orsamentu nebe nasaun nee hasai atu restaura fila fali sidade Oklohama lori benefisio ba kreseimentu GDP.

Ezemplo leten nee no deskripsaun papel GDP, bele interpreta  ba situasaun depois de krize 2006 iha Timor. Katak, orsamentu nebe aprova husi parlamentu iha 2008, montante boot aloka atu restaura situasaun no kondisaun rai laran. Distribuisaun osan ba deslokadus sira (familia ida $4,500.00) konsidera mos hanesan benefisiu ba kresimentu ekonomia. Affeta husi politika ida nee, inflasaun sae gradualmente no populasaun barak mak labele utiliza osan nee ho optimu. Ita labele dehan iha substansia kualidade moris iha termos ida nee, tamba gastos hotu-hotu nebe alokadu somente atu restora fila fali deit kondisaun ekonomia nebe estraga antes nee (krize 2006). Tamba nee mak entre tinan 2008 too 2009, GDP sae makaas (too digitus rua). GDP la rekorda dezastre no difikuldades nebe Timor hasoru durante krize nia laran.

Ikus liu atu konklui deit katak applikasaun GDP hatudu oinsa kresimentu iha rendementu ekonomia bele defini populasaun nia moris diak. Maibe kresimentu husi rendementu ekonomia presija atu ezekuta lolos atu bele to’o ba finalidade ida nee. Simon Kuznets “The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred   from a measurement of national income”.  Iha parte seluk mos Kuznets relata “ Goals for more growth should specify more growth of what and for what“. Tamba nee, Timor alem de konsidera GDP hanesan optimu medida ba kresimentu rendementu ekonomia nebe iha pro no kontra iha ninia aplikasaun real, presija mos refere ba indikador seluk hanesan Genuin Progress Index (GPI), Human Development Index no indikador sosial seluk no liu-liu matan no fuan bele loke hodi hare ba realidade povo nia moris.  GDP bele indika mudansa kondisaun ekonomia mas laos totalmente reprezenta nasaun ida ninia kualidade moris. Nune’e GDP laos indikador maximu atu kalkula situasaun pobreza. Tamba nee mak mosu pergunta barak oinsa Timor bele iha kresimentu Ekonomia  mas realidade povo sei terus, sei hamlaha, barak seidauk assesu diak ba saude no edukasaun, sidauk iha asesu diak ba produtu lokal,  ahi mate lakan, estrada taka kuak, numeru dezempregu nebe a’as, etc.

Hein katak ho situasaun ida nee, hanesan nasaun soverania nebe iha importansia atu lori povo ba prosperiedade laos deit kontenti ho quantidade kresimentu ekonomia mas importante tebes loke matan hodi hare realidade moris. Iha futuro, ho dezenvolvementu nebe planeadu sei estimula kresimentu iha gastos governu, investementu, konsumo, hanesan  mos kresimentu iha rendementu mina ho gas nebe potensial hasa’e persentajem ekspor inkluindu kafe. Hasae industria no produtu rai laran sei hamenus mos dependensia nasaun ba importo sasan husi rai liur. Variabel hirak nee sei foti papel importante ba kresimentu ekonomia nasaun. Tamba nee importante tebes atu formula numero kresimentu ekonomia ne’e ba prosperiedade moris povo ohin no ba futuro.

Tuir hau nia hanoin Kresimentu ekonomia nee sei sai qualidade se ninia quantidade nee bele reprezenta kualidade moris, povo sai husi linha pobreja. Oinsa ho ita boot nia hanoin?

EAST TIMORESE FIFTH GOVERNMENT: AN OLIGARCHY

Breaking news Tempo Semanal Exclusive:

Inside sources have informed Tempo Semanal of the composition of the Fifth Constitutional Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to be announced tomorrow 6 August 2012, and sworn in by President Taur Matan Ruak on 8 August 2012.

The line up for the future leadership of Timor-Leste is as follows

Here is the list of the fifth Government members as bellow: 

1. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao
2. MInister Presidency of Council Ministers Hermenegild Pereira Alves
3. Deputy PM for Social welfare and Sport Fernado Lasama de Araujo
4. Minister of Finance Emilia Pires
5. Minister for Foreign Affairs Jose Luis Guterres 
6. MInister of State Administration Jorge Teme
7. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mariano ASSANAMI Sabino
8. MInister of Justice Deonisio Babo
9. Minister of Health Sergio Lobo
10. Minister of Education Bendito Freitas
11. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment Antonio da Conceicao
12. Minister Social Solidarity Isabel Guterres
13. Minister Public Works Gastao Sousa
14. Minister for Transportation and Telecomunication: Pedro Lay
15. Minister for Defence and Security Domingas Fernades Alves
16. Minister for Natural Resources Alfredo Pires
17. Minister of Tourism Francisco KALBUADI Lay

There are an additional eleven post for Vice Ministers and 25 Secretaries of State. This makes a total of 53 members of the Government.

The Government has 1) grown in numbers to be even larger than Indonesia’s – a country 230 times larger than Timor-Leste as well as Australia a country 20 times larger than Timor-Leste and 2) that it shows signs more like an oligarchy than a democracy.

There are six ministries that will be run by brothers and sisters such as:

• Ministry for Finance and Ministry of Natural Resources;
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social Solidarity;
• Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Transportation/ Telecomunications; and
• Additional examples of the country being run by families.

Naldo Rei the author of renowned book “Resistance: A childhood fighting for East Timor” expressed his concern by said, "when you have no choice you only choose whoever is available for that position but this is not about families but state."

MR. Naldo hopes the East Timor President can review the list carefully.

“Our president is a really wise person, and for the better future of East Timor he should decide what is right and wrong. If you look at the list of members of the government you can really say that this is all about families not about state,” said Naldo.

“People whoever led this country must have some credibility and capabilities to avoid nepotism in our country and President Taur Matan Ruak should say NO to this new government who is family related and refer the matter to the Anti Corruption Commission and if the President allows this happen and then better just stop with the Anti Corruption Commission because it is just a decoration only” stated Naldo.

During the Indonesian occupation the resistance fought against KKN.  Korupsi, Kolusi, Nepotism – this Government seems an example of nepotism on a grand scale.

If using a simple calculation of the salary of each minister, vice mininister and secretary of states at $2,500/month and in total 132,500/month and each year around US$1, 590,000 and for the five years term will be cost at US$7,950,000 for 53 members of the government. In fact the salary of ministry will higher then vice and secretary of states.  That does not include other benefits:

• travel,
• pensions,
• cars,
• per diems
• phone bills,
• VIP healthcare in Indonesia and Singapore
• etc

The head of Luta Hamutuk NGO, Mericio Akara said, “this new structure will not be effective and efficient, because too big and full of political interest. And full of political interest this structure will be more high cost, and I think every year government need more budgets to serve those Ministers. For us as a civil society better to invest more budget in the development sector rather then invest more budget in supporting new ministers.”

“As a civil society, we ask Mr. President to be more independent to see the Structure If not, people will consider him as a part of oligarchy system that going to be start with this new government.”
         
“Mr. President needs to be accountable to the people. Because he made many promises on the issue of democracy, nepotism, corruption, accountability during his Presidential campaign. So now is his time to implement those promises.”
         
“At the same time, PM need to more wise in making his new structure. Better to avoid nepotism now, if not he will lose his popularity in one day soon.”

“As Timor-Leste is just an Island and the population only about 1 million, I think the structure is too big and not really reflecting the realty as it is.”

“It seem the structure is tend to response political needs from the coalition members, which not really response the real needs of the people.”

“The structure is also manifested a tendency towards serious nepotism, which is going to bring Timor Leste towards an oligarchic state.”

“I think it is not a good sign for a real democracy that Timor Leste wishes for.”


”This is also a sign that struggle for real democracy which is free from Nepotism, Collusion and Corruption will more difficult,” said Mericio.

How can members of the Government, Parliament, and other state institutions defend democratic accountability and perhaps imprison wrong doers when they are a sister or a brother.  Nepotism create oligarchy, oligarchy supports and promotes corruption. The new Government sets a troubling precedent.

This newspaper notes that the disgraced former Minister of Justice, Lucia Lobato, convicted of corruption and sentenced to 5 years in Becora Prison remains free and at large.  Coming from the important Lobato family it remains to be seen if she will serve her sentence.