Dili, December 10, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Lalenok ba Ema Hotu (LABEH), together with the Anti-Corruption Youth Group, commemorated International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity” to promote integrity for the future. The ceremony took place at the LABEH building in Comoro yesterday.
Representing the LABEH Director, a member of the Anti-Corruption Youth Group, Ano Pereira, stated that today’s commemoration highlights the theme that encourages young people from LABEH’s Anti-Corruption Youth Group to strengthen their spirit in fighting corruption in the country.
“Every year on 9 December, LABEH together with anti-corruption youth always commemorates International Anti-Corruption Day in Timor-Leste, just as it is celebrated internationally. That is why we invite everyone so that in the coming years we can organize even bigger activities to combat corruption in the country,” said Anti-Corruption Youth Member, Ano Pereira.
He added that the theme for this year aims to encourage all youth to reflect and raise their voices, empowering young people to speak out publicly so they can help fight corruption nationwide.
“In my observation related to this important issue, corruption remains a serious concern, especially in the area of national development. For this reason, LABEH created its own Youth Group so they can stand at the forefront and proclaim loudly: ‘No to corruptors and down with corruption in Timor-Leste.’ To achieve this, we must work with honesty and sincerity, because this nation truly needs us,” he continued.
The Youth Member emphasized that LABEH carries out such activities because LABEH has its own media platform to show the world that corruption is being monitored in Timor-Leste. Whenever corruption occurs, LABEH files complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK), an action that LABEH has been taking since 2003 until today.
LABEH’s observations acknowledge that during this time, KAK has performed well, but there are still some shortcomings, primarily because KAK is positioned under a partisan structure, which can affect its decision-making and reduce its effectiveness.
Furthermore, LABEH and the Anti-Corruption Youth Group (JAK), along with student participants, organized a commemorative activity for International Anti-Corruption Day with a march from the LABEH building to the Nicolau Lobato Roundabout, before returning to the LABEH building to chant calls against corruption in the country.
Report by: Nelfiano
Photos: Nelfiano