Paulina Quintao – Baucau District Court prosecutor Aderito Antonio Pinto Tilman has been elected by the National Parliament to the position of Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK) commissioner.
Parliamentarians asked the incoming commissioner to maintain independence and to perform his duties to combat corruption in Timor-Leste.
Member of Parliament (MP) Aniceto Longuinhos Gutteres Lopes said the Tilman's experience as a prosecutor in Baucau meant he had extensive knowledge of investigative work.
"We hope the KAK commissioner can do his job effectively," he said. "Timorese citizens have high expectations that corruption in this country will be combatted."
MP Lopes said National Parliament held an election in June to elect a new commissioner from two candidates proposed by the government. Neither of those candidates – Sergio Hornai or Silveiro Baptista Pinto – won the absolute majority of votes necessary.
Both men withdrew their candidature and National Parliament proposed two new candidates; Dili District Court judge administrator Duarte Tilman and eventual winner Aderito Antonio Pinto Tilman.
An extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers was called for the election which Pinto Tilman won with 44 of 56 votes. The handover between Tilman and the outgoing commissioner took place directly after the June 15 vote.
Fretilin president NAME said he was skeptical that the new anti-corruption commissioner could act independently of a government which was directly responsible for the proposal of candidates to the post.
"It will depend on the commissioner," he said. "He must be ready to work independently and impartially in accordance with the laws. This is what we want."
MP Maria Lurdes Bessa welcome the new commissioner to his position, which had been vacant for four months. "The acting commissioner was in charge for only four months," she said. "We are very happy because we elected the commissioner early," she said
MP Bessa said she hoped Tilman would continue the work done by the previous commissioner to combat corruption in Timor-Leste.
Former commissioner Aderito de Jesus said Tilman needed to work with his team to present laws such as the anti-corruption and declaration asset laws which are passing through Parliament now.
De Jesus said Tilman should also strengthen the relationship between KAK and the Public Ministry.
"The most important thing the commissioner needs is to have the courage and integrity to do the job," he said. "He needs to have the courage to step forward and take on politicians as well as the public."