DILI, 30 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The Second Commander of Dili Municipal Police (PNTL), João S. Pires congratulates the people of Timor-Leste on Popular Consultation Day, ‘august 30, 1999’.
On this day, in 1999, a turnout of 98.6 percent of the 451,700 registered Timorese people voted on whether to accept autonomy within Indonesia or reject autonomy, leading to Timor-Leste’s separation from Indonesia.
It turned out, the people of Timor-Leste voted by 78.5 percent for independence rather than autonomy.
The 78.5 percent represented 344,580 votes in favor of a transition to independence and 94,388 for autonomy. The result was announced by the former UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, at 9.10 a.m. local time.
The result paved the way for Timor-Leste to break with Indonesia after almost 24 years of occupation.
“Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the Popular Consultation Day. I congratulate the people of Timor-Leste on this special day. Twenty-two years ago, on this day, the Timorese people were together heading to the polling stations to cast their votes on deciding the auto-determination of the nation,” Second-Commander of Dili Municipal Police (PNTL), João S. Pires told reporters in Comoro, Dili, today.
He said Timorese people need to keep the same kind of unity and togetherness in the combat against the new enemy, which is Covid-19 and Delta variant.
“Twenty-two years ago, we were united, casting our votes to decide our freedom and independence. This year, we have another enemy and it is Covid-19. To defeat this new invisible enemy, all Timorese people must put efforts together,” said Pires.
“I call on all communities across the country; let’s fight Covid-19 together. COVID-19 is our invisible enemy, changing our lives radically without ever revealing itself directly. Our togetherness is crucial to prevent the severe infections and more deaths from Covid-19,” Pires stressed.
Pires said that sensitizing the communities on practicing healthy habits, by washing hands regularly and thoroughly, wearing face masks, and maintaining social distancing was important to fight the Covid-19.
Previously, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak delivered his messages congratulating the Timorese people to remember Popular Consultation Day.
“Many heroes sacrificed their lives for Timor-Leste to become the nation that everyone sees today. We used to believe that one day Timor-Leste would become an independent nation, but we never thought that we might be still alive until this day,” said Ruak in a statement.
In addition, the President of the National Parliament, Aniceto Guterres considered the Popular Consultation Day was a victory day for Timor-Leste.
Guterres said Popular Consultation is the day of freedom, democracy, auto-determination, and liberation for the Timorese people.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
