Parliament Urges AMRT to Seriously Preserve Historical Shelters

The National Parliament has urged the Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum (AMRT) to take serious steps in preserving historical shelters across Timor-Leste.

Member of Parliament (MP) Cedelízia Farria do Santos said these historical shelters must undergo preservation efforts to serve as tourism sites, which can also contribute to the revenue of the municipalities where they are located.

She emphasized the need for coordination with the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture (SEAK) to address this issue, as many historical shelters remain abandoned and lack plans for their preservation.

"We call on the AMRT to work seriously in identifying and preserving historical shelters so they can become tourism sites," said MP Farria.

She added that attention should also be given to historical sites previously identified, such as Mahunu in Same, Manufahi Municipality, and Vicente Reis in Alas, where monuments have been erected but lack maintenance to preserve these sites so that future generations can be educated about their history.

She highlighted the importance of preserving resistance shelters to ensure the accurate documentation and understanding of their historical value.

"History needs to be told correctly and preserved," she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, mentioned that the AMRT has received support to strengthen its efforts in preserving Timor-Leste's history.

"In preserving these historical shelters, AMRT is currently conducting research, and this work will continue in the coming years to identify and preserve these shelters," he said during a National Parliament session in Dili.

He further explained that from the previous government to the current administration, 14 shelters have already been identified, located across the municipalities of Ermera, Manufahi, Baucau, and in Bobonaro.