September 16, 2025 | 11:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - More than 1,000 students in Timor-Leste protested against the planned purchase of cars for 65 members of parliament. The protest took place near the National Parliament in Dili.
The protest turned violent, leading the police to fire tear gas at the demonstrators on Monday, September 15, 2025. The plan to purchase cars for members of parliament has sparked the latest unrest in the resource-dependent nation, where more than 40 percent of its population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
"We demand that the parliamentarians cancel the decision to purchase (Toyota) Prado for the betterment of themselves," said Leonito Carvalho, a student from the private university Universidade da Paz based in Dili. "If not, we will continue to stand here."
As reported by CNA, the protest started peacefully, but the police fired tear gas after some protesters threw stones towards the parliament, damaging several cars. Tear gas injured at least four protesters, who were taken to the nearest healthcare facility.
National police official Justino Menezes stated that authorities would summon the protest coordinators to demand accountability for the damages.
Several political parties in Timor-Leste, which approved the 2025 budget to purchase Toyota Prado cars for members of parliament last year, have stated that they will ask the parliament to cancel the purchase.
In a joint statement, the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, Democratic Party, and National Unity Party of Timor's Sons emphasized that the purchase does not reflect public interest.
Timor-Leste is struggling with high levels of inequality, malnutrition, and unemployment. The country is heavily reliant on oil, with little diversification into other sectors.
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