Government of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

.............................................................................................................................

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 29th, 2024

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and began the meeting with the appointment of the members of the Board of Directors of the National Centre Chega! I.P., from Memory to Hope, for a three-year term, as the respective positions are vacant.

Upon a proposal from the Vice-Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, acting on behalf of the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Council of Ministers appointed Mr Aniceto Guro-Bertini as a member and Mr Manuel Mesquita as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

*******

The Council of Ministers approved a draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, which aims to establish the new Statute for Police Officers of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL – acronym in Portuguese).

The new statute for police officers, approved by the Council of Ministers, includes significant amendments. These include reintroducing the oath of allegiance, defining incompatibilities, and establishing objective criteria for promotions. Additionally, new leadership positions have been created in the PNTL to address organisational needs.

This Decree-Law reflects the importance of guaranteeing a professional, well-trained, and structured national police force to consolidate the rule of law and promote democracy on national territory.

*******

A draft Decree-Law, also presented by the Minister of the Interior, which aims to establish a new PNTL organic law, was also approved. The aim is to restructure and modernise the institution to boost its capacity to respond to the current national challenges in line with strategic plans for development and national security.

END