DILI, 26 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Timorese youth considered fostering and sustaining the ‘Strong Unity’ of Popular Consultation Day important to accelerate the process of national development in the country.
On august 30, 1999, with courage and determination, the Timorese people expressed their wish for the independence of their territory. On september 4, 1999, UN officials announced in Dili that the people of East Timor voted by 78.5 percent for independence and rejected the proposed special autonomy within Indonesia.
Therefore, Popular Consultation Day is considered one of Timor-Leste’s historic days. This day commemorates every year to remember the referendum that took place on august 30, 1999, which paved the way for independence from Indonesia.
“One of the important lessons I learned from the Popular Consultation Day is the unity of Timorese people against Indonesia. In 1999, we had a common goal which is self-determination and we gained it through unity. As the younger generation, we have a responsibility to learn and sustain this kind of unity because it is important to advance our national development to achieve our main goal. A goal of ensuring prosperity for all and leaving no one behind” said Abilio Freitas Ximenes, a second-year laboratory student of the Oriental University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNITAL) to TATOLI, in Dili.
He said as a developing country, Timor-Leste mustn’t need another political impasse as it would tear the nation apart and regress the development process in the priority sectors – education, tourism, agriculture, and so on.
“As the younger generation, we must grow harmony in our generation. We must work together to achieve our common goal,” Ximenes said.
Ximenes also calls on young Timorese to stop wasting time playing games, drinking alcohol, and consuming drugs: “Our national heroes, veterans and combatant and those who cast their votes in 1999 gave us an independent country which I considered a precious present that we couldn’t simply pay with money in return. So, I want to highlight that, our role is to study hard to continue their legacy.
Cristiano Ronaldo da Costa Alves, a young activist of the Klibur Foinsa’e Tane Timor (KFTT) called on national leaders to set a good example of strong unity for the younger generations to look up to: “Our leaders must leave us a good example to follow before they are gone.”
Alves stressed that before handing over responsibilities to the younger generation, the 1975s generations must consolidate their unity to teach the younger generation.
“For me, young people must act as agents of peace to ensure stability in the country which will pave way for the national development,” he said.
In addition, Cesarinha da Costa, a third-year International Relations student at UNDIL University said she was grateful to those Timorese people who participated in the Popular Consultation Day to decide the fate of Timor-Leste as an independent country.
“I dreamed of becoming a diplomatic person in the future. Because I want to convince and bring international investors to Timor-Leste. That’s why now I want to dedicate my time and energy to study and be an educated person to develop my beloved country,” she said
Cristovão Soares, the President of the Timorese Youth Academic Movement Timor-Leste (MJATL) calls on the younger generation to learn the importance of Popular Consultation Day: “Without Population Consultation Day, I think we wouldn’t enjoy the peace, and freedom we have today.”
Soares said to promote the Popular Consultation Day, MJATL would organize a national seminar, on august 29-31, in Dare to revive the memory of the unity of the Timorese people on august 30, 1999, in which the majority of Timorese people voted in favor of the independence: “We have more than 100 students from various Universities across Dili had been registered to attend the seminar. On august 31, we will organize a long march from Dare to Dili. This is what we can do to revive the principal value of this historical day, which is unity.”
Social Communication student of the Lorosa’e National University (UNTL), Filomena da Conceição also stressed that all Timorese people must learn the unity which Timorese people demonstrated through casting their votes for the nation’s independence in 1999.
“I want to pay my respect to those who cast their votes on Popular Consultation Day,” said Conceição.
Popular consultation – Yes to Independence
In 1996, José Ramos Horta and the bishop of Dili, D. Ximenes Belo, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their dedication to the defense of human rights and independence of Timor-Leste.
In 1998, with Suharto’s resignation and the end of the “Indonesian economic miracle”, B.J.Habibie was immediately sworn in as President. He later announced that he was willing to hold a referendum on autonomy (with integration into Indonesia) or independence for East Timor. The referendum took place on August 30, 1999, with the participation of more than 90%. 78,5% of the East Timorese favored independence and rejected the autonomy suggested by Indonesia.
Nevertheless, pro-Indonesia militias went on a rampage, assaulting UNAMET headquarters (the observers of the United Nations) and forcing Bishop Ximenes Belo to flee to Australia, while Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão took refuge in the British embassy in Jakarta. The wave of murders continued, promoted by the anti-independence militias and supported by members of the Indonesian army dissatisfied with the referendum results.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
