DILI, 22 June 2026 (TATOLI) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has extended his condolences to the people of Timor-Leste following the death of former President Francisco Guterres ‘Lú Olo’, paying tribute to his role in the country’s struggle for independence and democratic development.
“I am saddened by the passing of former President of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres. On behalf of Malaysia, I extend my condolences to his family and to the people of Timor-Leste,” Anwar said in a statement.
PM Anwar described ‘Lú Olo’ as a prominent figure of the generation that secured Timor-Leste’s independence, noting that he spent years in the resistance movement, where he became widely known by his nom de guerre, ‘Lú Olo’.
“Malaysia mourns his passing alongside the Timorese people. He will be remembered here with respect and affection,” Anwar said.
Lú-Olo’joined the national liberation movement in 1974 and remained active throughout the 24-year Indonesian occupation, taking on various political and military responsibilities within the resistance movement.
A senior leader of the resistance, he assumed the political leadership of Fretilin’s armed struggle in 1998 following the death of resistance commander Konis Santana.
Following Timor-Leste’s 1999 independence referendum, Guterres was elected president of the Constituent Assembly in 2001, where he oversaw the body responsible for drafting the country’s constitution.
As president of the National Parliament, Lu-Olo formally proclaimed the Restoration of Independence of Timor-Leste on May 20, 2002. He served as parliamentary speaker from 2002 to 2007.
‘Lú-Olo’ later served as president of the republic from 2017 to 2022.
Born on September 7, 1954, in Ossu, Viqueque municipality, Lu-Olo was a husband and father of four, married to Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres.
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