Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 4th, 2024
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 December 4th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Law Proposal, presented by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, and the Coordinator of the Working Group for Justice Sector Reform, Lúcia Lobato, for the First Amendment to Law no. 1/2017, of January18th, on the Transitional Regime for the Recruitment of Non-Timorese Magistrates and Public Defenders, and the Second Amendment to Law no. 9/2011, of August17th, which approves the organic law of the High Administrative, Tax and Audit Court's Accounts Chamber.
The main aim of the law proposal is to strengthen the functioning of the judicial system by filling the shortage of qualified human resources.
Among the proposed amendments is a review of the contract cycles, which will now last one year and be renewable for just one more year to avoid unnecessary extensions and promote the exchange of experiences between professionals. For the higher courts, candidates must have at least 20 years' experience, including work in international institutions with functions similar to those in Timor-Leste. Judges, prosecutors, and public defenders admitted may, in exceptional situations, exercise functions in Timorese courts, provided they fulfil specific conditions, guaranteeing the continuity of justice and avoiding the lapse of fundamental rights.
This system aims to ensure the quality and continuity of the administration of justice, support the development and career progression of Timorese magistrates and safeguard the rights and interests of citizens.
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Also approved was the draft Decree-Law presented by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, on the Exceptional Promotion of FALINTIL-FDTL Military Personnel.
This decree-law aims to waive the requirements of a university degree for entry into the rank of officer and a bachelor's degree or secondary education supplemented by military training for entry into the rank of sergeant. The decision aims to recognise and ensure the career progression of military personnel who joined before the 2014 Military Statute came into force, safeguarding the legitimate expectations created. The decree-law will take effect from January 1st, 2024.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, also presented by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, on supplementary pay for F-FDTL soldiers, Ministry of Defence officials, and administrative agents involved in the 2023 special recruitment process.
This measure compensates for the extraordinary effort and recognises the professional commitment of the military personnel, civil servants, and administrative agents who participated in this recruitment procedure. The supplementary payment reflects the dedication shown and aims to mitigate the demanding working conditions, including the restriction of personal freedom and the high hardship associated with the duties performed.
The amount of the supplement is calculated proportionally, considering the volume of work and the hours worked.
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The draft Government Resolution, also presented by the Minister of Defence, on the Humanitarian and Emergency Support Strategy, was approved.
The Strategy promotes a set of innovative guidelines and lines of action designed to optimise the capabilities and readiness of the Armed Forces (F-FDTL). It guarantees a rapid, effective, and efficient response to the needs of populations affected by humanitarian and emergency situations.
As part of this Strategy, the creation of the Humanitarian and Emergency Support Coordination Unit under the Ministry of Defence was also approved. This unit aims to implement the Strategy, promoting a coordinated approach between the various public bodies with knowledge and experience in the sector. Coordination will be led by a person appointed by the government member responsible for defence. It will include Defence, State Administration, Interior, Health, and Social Security representatives, who will act as focal points. The organisation and operating rules of the Coordination Unit will be defined by ministerial order of the Minister of Defence.
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After analysing the presentation by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, on the results of the audit report carried out by the State Inspectorate General (IGE – acronym in Portuguese), which assessed the regularity, legality and compliance of public subsidy contracts signed in 2022 between the then Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP), now the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MAPPF), and the entities Associação Café Timor (ACT) and Cooperativa Café Timor (CCT), the Council of Ministers approved a draft Government Resolution that incorporates the main recommendations of the report.
The report presents the results of the analysis of subsidy contracts for the rehabilitation and expansion of coffee plantations, the respective reports submitted, and beneficiary data covering the years 2022 and 2023. None of the contracts analysed were fully implemented, and the targets set were not fully met.
The government resolution defines the obligation to adjust the sums according to the percentage of execution of the contracts, with the remainder to be returned to the state coffers.
The Government Resolution also stipulates that the State Inspectorate-General should conduct an additional investigation to assess the regularity, conformity, and legality of the MAP's use of the total sum allocated as a public subsidy to carry out coffee rehabilitation and expansion activities. The sum was not transferred to any beneficiaries but was only used and managed by the Ministry's services to support the rehabilitation and expansion of coffee and LAKU TEN coffee.
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The Minister of Youth, Sport, Art, and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento, presented the Council of Ministers with a report on his participation in the XV Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sport of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP—acronym in Portuguese), held in Cascais, Portugal, from November12th to 16th.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft resolution creating the Interministerial Eventual Commission, which will coordinate the activities related to the XVI Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sport of the CPLP and the XII CPLP Sports Games. These events will occur in Dili from July17th to 27th,2025. A budget of US$3,730,500 has been approved for their organisation.
The Commission, chaired by the Minister for Youth, Sport, Art, and Culture, will consist of representatives from various ministries and will be supported by a Technical Unit responsible for drawing up and implementing the events' Master Plan. This structure will coordinate actions in logistics, communication, fundraising, and the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion, guaranteeing interdepartmental coordination and effective communication with the delegations of the participating countries.
The events will bring together 772 participants, including delegates and athletes from CPLP member countries, promoting cooperation, solidarity, and friendship between Portuguese-speaking peoples through sport and youth. The Commission will be wound up once the final report has been presented to the Prime Minister.
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The Council of Ministers decided to name the new bridge at Comoro Mota Ulun (Casnafar) after Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General.
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The Council of Ministers approved the names to be nominated by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, for the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority (ANC).
Flavio Cardoso Neves will be appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Novelino dos Santos and Georgina Emilia da Silva Garcia will assume the positions of Technical and Financial Directors, respectively. Roberto Manuel da Costa Martins and José Ave Maria Ximenes Cipriano Gonçalves will be appointed Non-Executive Directors.
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Lastly, the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, presented the Council of Ministers with an update on the process of Timor-Leste's accession as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is expected to take place next year. END
