East Timorese have “not panic” with illegal weapons

 

DILI – The issue of illegal weapons has become a very hot political discussion among politicians especially from the present government.

But the evidence shows that until now almost all the people are “not so panic” with this issue. The main subject of discussion in their daily lives is about the political situation that has not been clear. 

But this issue has shaken the national parliament by delaying the discussion agenda on budget rectification. According to the agenda, this budget rectification discussion was held on December 14-15, but the president of parliament Aniceto Guterres postponed it on December 18 because he felt unfavorable to the statement of the Minister for Defense and Security and Commander of the Timor - Leste Defense Force, Major General Lere Anan East.

A two-day parliamentary debate over the government's amended budget, which was increased to $1.61 billion from the 2017 budget of $1.39 billion, ended with most members of the ruling coalition walking out late Tuesday.

The Parliamentary Majority Alliance, or AMP, the country's opposition with 35 seats in the 65-member parliament, then voted to reject the budget just before midnight. It was the second defeat suffered by the government after its policy program was rejected on Oct. 19.

The present government not only faces the opposition in parliament but also confronts the illegal weapons that allegedly enter from the border between Batugade (Timor - Leste) and Atambua (Indonesia).

Major General Lere has stated that illegal weapons are already widespread in Timor - Leste because these weapons allegedly come from the Atambua border, but the Indonesian embassy in Timor - Leste until now has not given a statement on this matter.

Minister for Defense and Security José Agustinho Sequeira 'Somotxo' has alerted civilians who still have weapons in their homes to be immediately displaced to the government on 31 December this year.

Somotxo added that suspicion of illegal weapons that spread across Timor - Leste was a problem for defense and security in Timor - Leste.

“I appeal to civilians who still keep weapons in their homes that the deadline is on 31 December. More than this is already considered as a crime” he said.

New gun laws in East Timor defeated in Parliament

According to the WikiLeaks that, the document presents a draft for a new gun law in East Timor, proposed by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and successfully defeated by the FRETILIN opposition in a parliament session on 25th of June 2008.

According to first news reports the document is relevant especially within the context of the 2006 ruling over firearms regulations in East Timor. Section 4 of the draft holds the main controversial angle of the proposal, granting sole and discretionary power over authorizing civilian arms possession to the Commander of the East Timor National Police. 

The history of firearms in the hands of civilians has contributed to all the bloody episodes in the country's tortured history and the new law comes in the wake of the 2006 illegal weapons distribution case when the then FRETILIN government Interior Minister, Rogerio Lobato, was involved in the distribution of weapons to civilians. This illegal weapons distribution contributed to a catastrophic breakdown in law and order in East Timor and Mr Lobato was subsequently sentenced to more than 7 years imprisonment for his role in the weapons distribution and manslaughter.