Dili, September 30, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ainaro Municipality Student Association (ASEMA), through a press release held at Jardim 5 de Maio, called on the President of the Ainaro Municipal Authority (PAM – Tetum acronym) not to use power to threaten seven (7) village chiefs who had previously issued a press statement opposing the National Parliament and requesting PAM to use its authority to focus on social services. The press release took place today (30/09/2025).
Carlito Soares, President of ASEMA, stated that the association issued this press release in connection with social issues occurring in Ainaro Municipality and concerning the local leaders who had spoken out against the National Parliament’s decision to purchase vehicles. However, the President of the Ainaro Municipal Authority intervened in response to that action.
“We oppose the decision taken by PAM Ainaro, because it poses a major risk of undermining democracy in the municipality itself. Therefore, ASEMA firmly stands in opposition to the actions taken by PAM against the seven local leaders,” said ASEMA President Carlito Soares.
He explained that PAM threatened the seven village chiefs after they issued a press release against the National Parliament’s plan to buy new cars for themselves.
ASEMA spokesperson Anisa de Jesus, in the same statement, emphasized that Timor-Leste is a democratic state governed by the rule of law as enshrined in Article 1 of the RDTL Constitution, declaring it a sovereign democratic state founded on the will of the people and respect for human dignity.
“The National Parliament’s political decision to purchase 65 new vehicles for MPs at the Parliament building has been met with strong criticism from civil society, academics, activists, workers, and the general population. Considering the living conditions of ordinary citizens, such as inadequate housing, rising malnutrition rates, declining education quality, lack of medicines, insufficient wages, poor roads, and limited electricity access in remote areas, this decision is unjust and insensitive,” stated ASEMA Spokesperson Anisa de Jesus.
She added that due to these harsh realities, the village chiefs voiced the people’s aspirations through a press release, since they are directly aware of the hardships faced by their communities.
“On 15 September 2025, seven village chiefs from Leoloma (Foho Aliko) in Hatudo-Udo Administrative Post, from Mau-chiga in Hatubiloko with Mulo, and from Maulu, Mau-nunu, and Soro-Kraik in Ainaro Vila issued a press release as an exercise of freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 41 of the RDTL Constitution. They used this right to communicate their concerns. However, this freedom of expression is now under threat because those in power are abusing their authority to restrict it. The President of the Ainaro Municipal Authority, Manuela Georginha Bucar Corte-Real, reportedly pressured and threatened to launch investigations into the village chiefs who took part in the press release to the National Parliament,” explained ASEMA Spokesperson Anisa de Jesus.
She further stated that ASEMA strongly opposes PAM Ainaro’s actions, denouncing them as an abuse of power, unconstitutional, and undermining democratic values. She stressed that PAM is failing to exercise its role properly as a representative of the people of Ainaro, since the municipality continues to face deep structural problems. Instead of threatening others, PAM should use its political role to address the pressing social issues.
“Given PAM’s actions against the village chiefs, we, the Ainaro Municipality Student Association, demand that PAM Ainaro and the central government take these issues seriously. Attention must be given to education in the municipality, such as building proper schools, increasing the number of teachers, providing libraries, chairs, and desks. Agriculture must also be prioritized, since most of the people of Ainaro depend on it. We call for electricity expansion in remote areas. Ainaro has 4 Administrative Posts, 21 villages, and 131 hamlets, of which 18 hamlets still have no electricity access. Finally, we urge improvements in other basic infrastructure, such as roads and clean water supply for the people of Ainaro,” the spokesperson emphasized.
In conclusion, ASEMA explained that the purpose of their press release is to assert that PAM must not use power to threaten the seven village chiefs, since they were only speaking up for the rights and concerns of the people of Ainaro. Through this statement, ASEMA calls on PAM and the central government to take these issues seriously, in line with the mandate entrusted by the people.
Reporter: Domingas
Photo: Dominga