Public Outcry Forces Timor-Leste to Abandon MP Car Purchase Plan

Wed Sep 17 2025 22:46:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Mass protests in Timor-Leste led to the government scrapping a controversial plan to provide free cars to lawmakers, revealing deep-seated frustrations over inequality and government privileges.

Timor-Leste recently canceled a plan to buy new cars for its lawmakers after widespread protests erupted across the country. Thousands took to the streets, expressing their discontent not only over the car purchase but also highlighting calls for reform regarding lawmakers' pensions. This public unrest reflects broader sentiments among the young population concerning social inequality and government excess, amidst a backdrop of similar protests in neighboring Asian countries.

Timor-Leste has scrapped a plan to give its lawmakers free cars after thousands of people took to the streets to protest against it.

On Tuesday, demonstrators burned tyres and set a government vehicle alight, while police responded with tear gas - hours later, the government bowed to public pressure and dropped the plan.

Despite this, many returned to the streets, with one protester telling the BBC that they estimated a turnout of around 2,000 demonstrators in the capital Dili on Wednesday.

Though the protests were initially triggered by the cars, they have now expanded to cover calls to remove lifetime pensions for retired lawmakers. The unrest comes as governments across Asia, from Nepal to Indonesia, have been rocked by young protesters targeting the perceived excesses of lawmakers.

Lawmakers' salaries in Timor-Leste are significantly higher than the national average, a fact that fuels public anger. The plan for new vehicles for lawmakers isn’t new, having faced previous backlash since the early 2000s. This week's protests represent a culmination of frustrations regarding persistent inequality and unmet needs for basic social services.

Demonstrators are also demanding changes to laws that guarantee lifetime pensions for former MPs, with many voicing their determination to ensure accountability for government spending. The protests illustrate a broader demand for social equity amidst a young population that represents more than 70% of the country.

Amidst this political upheaval, the former minister and political analyst Fidelis Leite Magalhães expressed that protests are perceived as a normal part of democracy in Timor-Leste, indicating a significant, evolving landscape of political activism in the region.