Timor-Leste axes plan to buy SUVs for MPs

Timor-Leste’s Parliament has bowed to public pressure and dropped a plan to buy sport utility vehicles (SUVs) for lawmakers in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations, but sceptical protesters returned to the streets on Sept 17.

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Student-led demonstrations against the multi-million-dollar purchase drew thousands this week in the capital Dili, with demonstrators and police clashing for two days in a row.

Unappeased by the last-minute reversal, around 2,000 demonstrators gathered near the Parliament building in Dili for a third straight day on Sept 17, according to an AFP journalist.

“Rumours are that the cars are already on the way,” said protester Trinito Gaio, 42.