“There are people with good intentions who will make changes in the future because a new generation is taking the reins of the country,” said the author regarding the launch of his book “Hotel Timor” on Saturday in Lisbon, as Timor-Leste approaches the 50th anniversary of its unilateral declaration of independence on November 28.
Luís Cardoso expresses hope for the future of Timor-Leste, placing confidence in the younger generations.
“The students who protested in September have already analyzed the country; they know what is wrong,” says the writer, referring to the student uprising against the political elite’s privileges.
The September demonstrations in Dili halted the purchase of high-powered cars for government officials, as initially planned in the State Budget, and revoked the lifetime pension law for deputies and former officeholders.
“The State Budget protects those who have always been protected,” states the writer, highlighting “the lack of transparency” that has eroded trust between the government and the people.
“Timor has two states: the state of Dili, a bubble that has benefited from existing wealth, and the state of the rest of the country, living in misery. It is an expanse of slums and shanty towns, without even piped water,” he reflects.
For the writer, who resides in Portugal but follows the reality of Timor with anticipation, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, cannot ask the people to unite “when governance practices are not consistent,” once again pointing to “the lack of transparency,” especially in public tenders.
Although he believes the Prime Minister has “an inner need and intention to change,” he contends that the head of government “doesn’t know how,” asserting that “only transparency in governance can aid the country’s development.”
Regarding Timor-Leste’s recent entry as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on October 26, he fears the risk of Timor-Leste “being engulfed” by neighboring countries.
“It’s always an opportunity, because the more we engage, the better. But Timor is not prepared for this challenge. We risk being overwhelmed by ASEAN,” the writer observes.
“How will we compete with an Indonesian or Malaysian company? We prepared the accession dossiers well, which was a long-standing goal, but we did not prepare internally. We are not ready to compete with them,” he asserts.
Quoting a free thinker, he ironically suggests, “It is not Timor entering ASEAN; it is ASEAN entering Timor,” noting that “there are no miracles in a country with such a young democracy that is seeking to consolidate itself.”
