Paulina Quintao – Based on the results of monitoring activities conducted by the Office of the Human Rights and Justice Ombudsmen (PDHJ), high rates of violations against defined criteria for good governance demonstrate government is not fully functional.

Deputy PDHJ Jesuina Maria Ferreira Gomes said there are four categories used to measure the status of governance in Timor-Leste, such as incompetence, abuse of power, mal administration, and illegal activities.

From the cases received by PDHJ mostly concern maladministration, in particular the poor ability of the community in accessing public services, lack of checks and balances, and abuses of power related to the use of state patrimony for personal reasons.

"Governance in not fully functional so we need to improve our administration, access to public services and every person must only use as much power as prescribed by the law," she said in Dili.

She added other violation include illegal action such as public schools charging feed for students and from parents given the law clearly states that education is free at public schools for the first nine years of education.

She stated that 10 principles establish the parameters defining good governance including participation, promotion of justice, responsibility, transparency, clear vision, equality, accountability, efficiency and efficacy, control and professionalism.

She acknowledged the government has already accomplished many things but there is room for improvements that ensures good governance so that people get the benefits.

On the other hand, resident Fernanda Reis is concerned public servants who continue to use state property such as cars for private use.

She urged authorities to ensure there are mechanisms in place to control the proper use of state assets.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/15421-pdhj-governance-still-not-fully-functional