Dili, July 28, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Dili Municipal Traffic Directorate together with the joint team composed of SEATOU, DNTT, MOP and Dili Municipal Authority as well as Special Units carried out a joint operation on vehicles parked in violation of traffic rules. The operation was conducted on Saturday night in the area from Ponte BJ.Habibie to Culu-Hun.
The operation targeted cars and motorcycles that were parked not in accordance with the rules. As a result, the DNTT and Dili Traffic teams removed license plates from some cars and motorcycles and secured them at the DNTT office. Others were secured at the Dili Municipal Command because there wasn’t enough space.
“The operation started from BJ.Habibie Bridge to Culu-Hun. For motorcycles and cars that were parked on top of the sidewalks, for cars we removed the license plates. For motorcycles without an owner present we removed only the license plate, and for motorcycles with the owner present we brought them to the Dili Municipal Command.” said the Dili Municipal Traffic and Road Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police Delfim da Silva, to journalists at the Dili Municipal Command on Monday (27/07).
Vehicles whose license plates were seized during Saturday night’s operation will starting today be returned to their owners once they complete the administrative process and pay the fine at the Bank.
For vehicles secured by DNTT, owners must first wait to get a revenue slip, then present it at the Dili Municipal Command to process the revenue. After that they can go pay at the bank, and then bring the receipt back to the Command before the motorcycle and license plate are handed back to the owner.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police said that during this operation the team didn’t seize cars, but only confiscated license plates.
“For motorcycles with the owner present, we only removed the license plate. For motorcycles without the owner, we took those motorcycles, some are held at KMD and some at DNTT.” he stated.
He informed that a total of 25 motorcycles were secured at the Dili Municipal PNTL Command, along with a number of license plates. Owners can only retrieve their motorcycles after paying the fine at the bank.
Delfim explained that fines for cars and motorcycles depend on the violation level. If there is no license plate, if it violates traffic signs, and if documents are missing, the fine amounts differ.
“License plate violation is $45, violating a sign is $45, illegal parking is $45, motorcycle without mirrors is $45, but it depends on the violation level in this operation. The main targets were motorcycles without license plates, mirrors, and documents. For example, a motorcycle with no license plate pays $60.” he said.
He also appealed to community members who own cars and motorcycles to park in proper places, and not in public areas that block roads or violate traffic signs.
He informed that operations will continue, and in the near future they will also conduct operations inside neighborhoods.
The Dili Municipal Traffic and Road Commander stated that the Saturday night operation was led by the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization. The team was formed because a meeting was held last week. The operation was also accompanied by the Deputy Municipal Commander of Dili, the Operations Commander, the Traffic Commander, and the UEP Team Commander.
Report By: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo: Estefánia Cardoso