US EditionTimor-Leste Police Fire Tear Gas at Protest over Plan to Buy Cars for MPs
Over 1,000 protesters, mainly university students, condemned the approved purchase of new official cars for 65 MPs amid widespread poverty affecting over 40% of the population, officials said.
- On September 16, 2025, Timor-Leste police used tear gas against demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building in Dili who were protesting the proposal to acquire official vehicles for all 65 members of the legislature.
- The protest followed approval last year of the 2025 budget that included funding for the car purchases, which sparked anger amid Timor-Leste's economic challenges and poverty.
- More than 2,000 people, mostly university students, rallied peacefully before some threw rocks, damaging cars and prompting police to deploy tear gas injuring at least four protesters.
- Several political parties, including one prominent group involved in Timorese reconstruction efforts, criticized the car purchase as not serving the public interest and committed to urging parliament to overturn the decision. Meanwhile, activist Domingos de Andrade called for an end to the recurring practice of acquiring new vehicles.
- Protesters have pledged to keep holding rallies until the plan is officially abandoned, while officials intend to call in protest leaders to hold them accountable for the harm caused during the demonstrations.
35 Articles
35 Articles
East Timor police clash with protesters over plan to buy vehicles for
DILI: East Timor police on Tuesday clashed for a second day with protesters angry over a plan to buy SUVs for lawmakers in one of southeast Asia’s poorest nations, whose leader issued a rebuke over the violence. Demonstrators in the capital Dili burned tires, a government vehicle near the parliament building and hurled rocks toward the officers, who responded with tear gas.
Watauga Democrat
E. Timor police clash with protesters over plan to buy vehicles for MPs
East Timor police on Tuesday clashed for a second day with protesters angry over a plan to buy SUVs for lawmakers in one of southeast Asia's poorest nations, whose leader issued a rebuke over the violence.
As the protest swells in Dili, the Timorese youth makes its voice heard in the face of a project deemed disconnected from the social realities of the country.
Tear gas fired as East Timor students protest MPs' car purchase
DILI, East Timor: East Timor police fired tear gas on Tuesday at protesters railing for the second day against a plan to buy new official cars for lawmakers, which became the latest flashpoint in one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia.
Timor Leste police fire tear gas on second day of car purchase protests
DILI, Timor Leste: Timor Leste police fired tear gas on Tuesday (Sept 16) at protesters railing for the second day against a plan to buy new official cars for lawmakers, which became the latest flashpoint in one of the poorest nations in South-East Asia.
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