Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 22nd 2025
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 22nd 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and decided to authorize the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of Malaysia on cooperation in the field of telecommunications.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the telecommunications sector, covering infrastructures, services, and regulatory matters, based on reciprocity and mutual benefit.
Among the main areas of cooperation are the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices, institutional capacity building, the promotion of research and technological innovation, and the facilitation of partnerships between regulatory bodies, operators, and industry players in both countries.
The agreement also provides for training programs, workshops, and technical exchanges, contributing to the development of a more modern, secure, and efficient telecommunications sector, which is essential for economic progress and the process of regional integration of Timor-Leste within ASEAN.
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The draft decree-law presented by the Vice Minister for Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, for the creation of a Solidarity Hotline to deal with cases of gender-based violence and violence against children and young people was also approved.
The Solidarity Hotline is a free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, designed to provide an immediate response to situations of violence, ensuring victims have access to psychological, social, legal, and institutional support.
The new mechanism will be managed by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion and will have as its main partners a number of ministries, municipal authorities, and development partners, with the aim of strengthening victims’ protection and coordination between emergency, security, health, and justice services.
The single number 116 will be accessible from any national telecommunications network, allowing for rapid referral of cases and immediate activation of response measures in situations of imminent risk.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, regarding the Exceptional Regime for Promotion based on Seniority of Staff in the Teaching Profession.
The teaching career, regulated by Decree Law No. 23/2010 of December 9th, was revised in 2023 by Decree-Law No. 31/2023 of May 31st, which simplified the assessment test system for access and promotion purposes by creating a mandatory skills assessment test as the main mechanism for progression.
In the current context, more than a thousand teachers, despite their dedication and contribution to the development of the national education system, are at the top of their respective grades and about to reach retirement age.
This measure is in line with Decree-Law No. 9/2025 of April 30, which set the age limit for termination of employment in the civil service at 65, ensuring that teachers approaching retirement are recognized for their contribution to national education.
The law also establishes that exceptional promotions will take effect from November 1st, 2025, for teachers covered in the first phase, and from January 1st, 2027, for those covered in the second phase.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft bill presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, on the General Regime for Administrative Offenses.
The law aims to provide the national legal system with a common framework that standardizes the principles, rules, and procedures applicable to administrative offenses provided for in special legislation, in order to strengthen the protection of citizens' rights vis-à-vis the Administration and promote legal certainty and security.
Under the proposed regime, any unlawful, typical, and culpable act punishable by a fine is considered an administrative offense. Administrative in nature, the fine will be imposed by the competent authorities and will be dissuasive and educational in nature, resulting in the payment of an amount set by law.
Administrative offenses differ from criminal law in their administrative nature and function of social censure, allowing for a swifter and more proportionate response to offenses that do not warrant criminal intervention. The law defines the general rules of liability, classification, and penalties, including fines and, in the most serious cases, additional penalties such as loss of assets, prohibition from exercising activities, or suspension of licenses and authorizations.
The proposed regime also provides for an administrative offense procedure with an administrative phase and a judicial phase for appeal and review, with the aim of ensuring judicial review of administrative decisions and safeguarding citizens' rights, freedoms, and guarantees.
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Finally, the Government's draft resolution, presented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, was approved, establishing June 5 as National Sea Day, dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the sea and marine biodiversity in Timor-Leste, to activities aimed at enhancing its value and promoting the active participation of society, particularly children and young people, in its protection.
The establishment of this date reflects the recognition of the importance of the sea for environmental balance, the livelihood of communities, and the sustainable development of the country, as well as the Government's commitment to the conservation of marine resources and the implementation of the Policy and Action Plan for the Promotion of a Resilient and Sustainable Sea Economy 2025-2035.
The Government Resolution also establishes that National Sea Day celebrations shall be held annually, alternating between each municipality and region of the country, with the involvement of communities, regional and municipal authorities, community leaders, civil society organizations, the private sector, and citizens in general, reinforcing the cultural and spiritual value of the sea for the Timorese people and the national commitment to the preservation of the oceans. END
