The Council of Minsters has decided to maintain the ban on martial arts groups after it decided they could cause conflict for another year.

"Once they display good behaviour then we will consider lifting the suspension, however for now things will have to stay as they are for another year," Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao said recently at the Presidential Palace in Dili.

According to the Prime Minister, 2013 will be the year for troublesome martial arts groups to straighten up, move away from violence and join in the development of the nation.

"If they don't straighten up then we will close them down. I don't want Timorese to suffer for this reason," said the Prime Minster. "Everything will work out if we show mutual respect, compassion and are prepared to listen to one another," he said.

Secretary of State for Youth and Sports Miguel Manetelu said he would call on these martial arts groups to discuss this suspension. "This resolution has not been published in the Government Gazette (JornaldaRepublica), and as soon as it is I will call them all to discuss the significance of the suspension," said SoSManetelu.

He said the suspension was renewed in light of recommendations made by the general community, which gave an indicator of the groups' behaviour.

"This information was used by the Council of Ministers to extend the ban for another year. UNMIT's mandate has also just finished, so it is another way of reducing the crime rate by controlling these martial arts gangs," said Manetelu.