Dili, May 26, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The grassroots of Movimentu Tane A’as Lian Suku Katrai-Kraik (MOTALIS) held a press conference regarding a statement made by the Administrative Post Administrator of Letefoho. According to the movement, the Administrator’s position refusing to provide space for small movements like MOTALIS to engage in dialogue with local authorities in the villages and administrative post was problematic.
Spokesperson Lião Soares stated that the movement aims to clarify to the public, particularly to local authorities and all entities including academic communities in Letefoho Administrative Post, that MOTALIS does not exist to hinder any kind of development. Rather, its existence is aimed at exercising social control over all integrated development initiatives and ensuring their sustainability over time in the Katrai-Kraik village.
“In connection with the speech delivered by the Administrator of Letefoho Administrative Post during the commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Timor-Leste in Letefoho, the Administrator stated that, as Post Administrator, he does not provide space for a small movement like MOTALIS to engage in dialogue or actions that involve criticizing authorities in the village and administrative post of Letefoho,” said spokesperson Lião Soares.
He said that MOTALIS totally disagrees with the Administrator’s statement, which implies that as Administrator, he does not provide space for small movements like MOTALIS to engage in dialogue or critical actions toward local authorities in the village and post. He emphasized that the Administrator may see the movement as small, but MOTALIS has a broad and strategic vision aimed at contributing to all forms of development.
“Movimentu Tane A’as Lian Suku Katrai-Kraik (MOTALIS) deeply regrets the statement of the Letefoho Post Administrator, which is not grounded in nor in accordance with the Constitution of RDTL, Article 40(1), which guarantees all citizens the right and freedom to express and receive information. Article 40(2) also states that the freedom of expression and information must not be subjected to any form of censorship,” said Lião Soares.
The spokesperson further explained that the Administrator’s stance also contradicts Decree Law No. 5/2005, which grants collective individuals the competence and right to establish movements and associations that operate as non-governmental organizations with the status of national, voluntary, non-profit, and non-partisan associations, aimed at building peace and stability and contributing to national development processes.
From this press conference, MOTALIS raises the following points:
- In the Administrator’s statement claiming that no space is given to small movements like MOTALIS to act as agents of social control in Katrai-Kraik village and the Letefoho Administrative Post, MOTALIS highlights that the Constitution and the aforementioned decree law do, in fact, provide space for MOTALIS to carry out its mission as a social control agent. MOTALIS operates within the academic triad of Education, Research, and Community Dedication and carries the motto “Raise Your Voice for the Voiceless” to seek truth and justice.
- MOTALIS proposes that the Administrator must read and understand the RDTL Constitution, laws, and decrees currently in force in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. MOTALIS further proposes that the Administrator properly classify the terms Construction and Expansion, so that society can understand them correctly.
- MOTALIS clarifies that the 8km stretch from Aimeta to Manukoliria and Baulisuria is not a new construction but rather an expansion of an already existing road. If it were new construction, it would mean the company CCECC just opened or built the road recently. However, the rural road had already been accessible to the community before.
- MOTALIS wishes to clarify to the public regarding the press conference held on May 8, 2025, especially concerning the issue of bribery, which was based on facts accessed by MOTALIS through the National Authority for Minerals (ANM). One such fact is that the rock from Asdan was sourced by the Katrai-Kraik village Chief’s joint venture company with CCECC. The local company, Katrai Unp. Lda, in which the Head of Village’s company holds 51% and CCECC holds 49%.
- MOTALIS expresses pride in the CCECC Company, which acknowledged irregularities in the previous agreement. On May 22, 2025, around 17:00 OTL, the company, accompanied by the Parish Priest and Vicar of Letefoho, directly visited the expansion site to explain the situation to local authorities and veterans, including the local community in the Manukoliria expansion area. CCECC agreed to review and revise the agreement to incorporate the concerns previously raised by MOTALIS.
Reported by: Domingas
Photo by: Domingas