The President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK), Aderito Tilman, has urged National Members of Parliament to discuss the adoption of anti-corruption laws in the country.
He said the laws were important for KAK to help facilitate its investigations.
He said KAK was unable to investigate a number of corruption cases as there was no provision in the Timor-Leste penal code.
These include financial mismanagement, fraud and crimes in the construction and private sectors.
He said these crimes should therefore should be included as part of future anti-corruption laws.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament MP Antoninho Bianco said it was up to the President of Parliament which laws were prioritized and passed onto Commission A, the body responsible for discussing laws related to the constitution, judicial system, public administration and corruption.
However, he said anti-corruption laws had yet to be passed onto the Commission, which is currently discussing district administration, suku (hamlet) election and village chief laws.
Resident Manuel Sarmento said the laws were important as corruption cases were on the rise across the country.
“Many leaders get involved while the people continue to live in poverty,” he said.
