DILI, 18 December 2019 (TATOLI) — The Taur Matan Ruak government will put a revised, US $1.67 billion 2020 general state budget (OJE) proposal to parliament today, in a bid to appease MPs who criticised the previous bill.
The Council of Minsters approved the new OJE proposal during a meeting at the Government Palace this afternoon.
The Interim Finance Minister, Sara Lobo Brites, said the revised budget includes revenue coming from the Special Economic Zone of Oe-cusse (RAEOA/ZEEMS), grants from the European Union and other lending.
“I present the proposed State General Budget for fiscal year of 2020,” she announced.
The government ‘retired’ the OJE bill from parliament on December 3 after members questioned the size of the spending. Government watchdog La’o Hamutuk also criticised the bill when it was introduced to parliament in October, saying the proposed spending “threaten[ed] the sustainability of the petroleum fund” which Timor-Leste’s recurrent spending relies on.
Speaking to reporters today, the Interim Minister did not detail where the cuts would be applied, but in announcing the withdrawal of the OJE bill earlier this month (link: Tetum), she said government spending on “goods and services” across the board would be targeted.
“Of course, reducing the goods and services… [such as] foreign travel, reserve funds, we will cut those out. And other items that need to be reduced, have to be reduced,” she said on December 4.
After the meeting, Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPS), Alexandrinho Xavier de Araújo, told reporters his department faces a $3.6 million reduction — down from $15 million.
“I feel with any budget [some departments] are always affected, and we need to plan to reduce our programs, as part of it will not be met in 2020,” Secretary Araújo said.
The planned programs include establishing an office on the Indonesian border at Oecussi and Suai; renovating rundown SEPS offices in four districts; and building new facilities for firefighters in Ermera and Manatuto.
“But the budget was cut, so we must think again. I spoke with the Prime Minister [suggesting] if we have any budget we can renovate those buildings in poor condition, including the building of the fire fighters’ facility,” he said.
The government plans to introduce the bill to parliament today (December 19).
Journalist: Cipriano Colo
Editors: Xisto Freitas; Robert Baird
Translation: Nelia Borges
