MARIO CARRASCALAO: “PRADOS DO NOT CORRESPOND WITH OUR PEOPLES’ LIVING STANDARDS.”‏

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Foto, CML - Emerging Leadership in Democracy,  Facebook

Timor Post - Wednesday - Friday, January 16, 2013 - Translated from Tetum 

The former deputy prime minister of the IV Constitutional Government, Mario Viegas Carrascalao, believes that the Prado cars (luxury) the state bought for MPs, does not correspond with the current living conditions of the Timorese people.

He explained that 40 percent of the people of Timor-Leste live in poverty, demonstrating that the state must be ashamed to use these very luxurious cars to drive around in the midst of the people.

"I think that these cars are not consistent with our economy and the social condition of the people," he told reporters yesterday at the Hotel Timor.

Carrascalão said that MPs in reality do need facilities to assist them in their monitoring work in the districts, but the question is with the with these luxury brand cars. They need cars in good condition to go to the mountains, but do not need luxury cars.

"So, there is no need to buy very expensive cars at a price of $ 63,000 each for members of parliament, but in fact you could buy cars at $ 20,000. These could be sufficient to facilitate the work of the MPs for five years. Most important is that the cars can travel to all the districts, "explained Carrascalão.

Carrascalão urges the State to provide a credit guarantee to the deputies, because some have money and some live as the people and have no money, so that Members can thus be careful with cars provided by the state.

"I think the state should provide these cars to Members of Parliament via a system of credit over five years. Every month we have to cut their salaries to deduct the price of cars. If after five years the members have not paid in full they have to use the car warranty to have credit in the bank."

In addition, the former governor of Indonesian Timor also said that deputies often use luxury cars, provided by the State, to carry wood and also family members, which in fact should not happen because it is there to serve the people. They must also use it with dignity.

Tétum: Mario Carrascalao: “Prado La Kondis Ho Kondisaun Povu”

Português: Mário Carrascalão: " Prado não condiz com a vida do povo"