29 October 2009

Timor-Leste Centre for Investigative Journalism: AMP and FRETILIN MPs Suspect Misuse of Funds

Written by Madalena Horta no Calisto da Costa Tuesday, 27 October 2009 - CJITL flash: Parlaimentary Majority Alliance as well as opposition MPs in the National Parliament suspect the Minister for Planning and Finance Emilia Pires misused the 2008/2009. The MPs considered the Minister’s attempted explanations on this in the National Parliament not to be very clear.

MP Inacio Moreira from the opposition said that according to his researched information, the referendum package budget is being improperly used.

He has asked the government, especially the Minister to present concrete detail regarding the implementation of the referendum package.

The President of the National Unity Party (PUN) also questioned its transparency and accountability.

The former Minister demanded Emilia Pires make a detailed explanation of the referendum package, because some districts have not had access to these budget funds.

“The Finance Minister has to explain more clearly the budget for the referendum package,” said this opposition MP in Parliament House, Dili, Monday 26 October. “Because some districts have not had access to these funds.”

Similarly the AMP MP Virginia Ana Belo also said that these budget funds were very important and because of this there must be a clear explanation from the Finance Minister.

“Emilia Pires needs to properly explain moneys spent on foreign travel, for the air fares and hotel costs and other things,” she asked.

FRETILIN MP Estanislau da Silva accused the Finance Minister of being evasive during the budget discussion and stressed the need for her to show proof or concrete details regarding the government’s execution of the budget.

The former Minister for Agriculture demanded that the Finance Minister take a close look at the moneys spent on foreign travel because often there are shady behind the scenes manipulation of these budget funds. (Lena, Calisto/cjitl)

THE ABOVE IS A TRANSLATION FROM TETUM, the original of which may be found at the following link: http://cjitl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=1

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