Decentralization Policy Issues and
Challenges in Timor-Leste:
A grassroots perspective
2013 Timor-Leste Update
Satornino Amaral
28-29 November 2013
Local Governance Coordinator
The Asia Foundation
Timor-Leste
samaral@asiafound.org
Key Questions:

Why Decentralization?

What has the government done for decentralization?

What do people say about decentralization?

What are the recent political interventions?

What is the current situation?
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1. Why Decentralization?
The main objectives are to:

Promote strong institutions, legitimate and stable state
across the territory of Timor-Leste;

Promote opportunities for local participation;

Promote more effective, efficient and equitable public
service delivery.
Outcome:
a) Eradicate poverty throughout the national territory;
b) Ensure environmental sustainability;
c) Promote gender equality
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Legal Framework
RDTL Constitution

Article 5.1: The Principle of Administrative Decentralization as a
fundamental aspect of the territorial organization of the State.
Article 63 –Political participation

Article 71 – Administrative Organizations

Article 72 – Local Government- Organization, Competencies,
functions and the compositions of local government structure will
be determine by law.

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2. What has the Government done?
A. 1st – 3rd Constitutional Government (2002 – 2007)
Decentralization policy preparation – CM approved technical working
group
Conducted study on local governance options study and
Approved decentralization strategic framework
B. 4th Constitutional Government (2007 – 2012)
Revised strategic frame work II;
CM approved draft laws and submitted to NP (on Administrative and
Territorial Division, Local Government Law and Municipal Elections
Law (not approved)
C. 5th Constitutional government (2012 – 2017)
Established SEDA and SEDL under MAE
Revised decentralization laws and drafted another 7 laws
Nationwide consultation
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Drafted and Proposed laws under SEDA:
1.
2.
3.

4.

5.
6.
7.
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Law on Local Government and Administrative Decentralization
Law for Local Government Election
Law on Finance, Assets and Procurements
Revised Law on Territorial Division (Law n.º 11/2009, October 7,
2009)
Law on Political Party
Decree Law on Pre Deconcentration approved by CM in August
2013
Decree Law about Technical Support for Electoral Secretariat (STAE)
Decree Law on the Establishment of the Structure for the Installation
of Municipals
Decree Law on the Status, Carrier and Remuneration of Public
Servant of Local Government
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Local Administration model/options
(Result of LGOS):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Status quo
Region or Province
Sub district with administration unit
Region and sub district aggregated (opted by IIII government)
District (opted by IV –V government)
Suco / Village
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3. What do people say about
Decentralization? (main issues and challenges)
Main concern/issues:


-
-
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Nationwide RTM
Bringing government closer to people in remote area
Lack of human and financial resources
Potential corruption at sub national level
No gender inclusiveness in the law (women issue)
Joint Research with MAE on Status of Community Leaders
Direct relationship with municipality but not part of government
structure
Advisory board to the municipality assembly
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What do people say about
Decentralization? (cont’d)
Main Challenges:

Political Willingness and Perceptions:
• Limited willingness to decentralize
• Perceptions that local people lack capacity

Policy Formation:
• Policy developed based on trial and error
• Unclear criteria for the establishment of municipalities
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4. What are the recent political
interventions?

The CM has approved pre – deconcentration decree law and
submitted to the President’s Office for promulgation

TAF supported NDF which involves community leaders, district
and national NGOs and other stakeholders and submitted a
resolution to the Office of the President, CM, and SEDA

CM has sent back response to NDR resolution

President has sent back the Decree Law to CM office for
review as result of NDF resolution
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Piloting Administrative Decentralization:
Decree Law on Pre-Deconcentration
Structure (2014-2016 onward)
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5. What is the current situation?

Government (MAE – SEDA) is revising the DL on pre deconcentration

Implementation of the Pre – Deconcentration will be
done consecutively

The government is revising the law no. 11/2009 on
territorial division (sent to CM)

The government is now about to revise also community
leaders law (law no 3/2009)
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