Timor-Leste has scrapped a plan to give its lawmakers free cars after thousands of people took to the streets to protest against it.
On Tuesday, demonstrators burned tires and set a government vehicle alight, while police responded with tear gas - hours later, the government bowed to public pressure and dropped the plan.
Despite this, many returned to the streets, with one protester estimating a turnout of around 2,000 demonstrators in the capital Dili on Wednesday.
Though the protests were initially triggered by the cars, they have now expanded to cover calls to remove lifetime pensions for retired lawmakers.
The unrest comes as governments across Asia, from Nepal to Indonesia, have been rocked by angry young protesters taking aim at the perceived excesses of lawmakers. A university student stated she was hit by tear gas while demonstrating, expressing her outrage over lawmakers seeking luxury vehicles amid public suffering.
Lawmakers in Timor-Leste earn an annual salary of $36,000, which exceeds the nation's average income, leading to increased scrutiny and discontent. Protests have intensified due to ongoing socioeconomic disparities, with activists calling for reforms.
Members of parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to abandon plans for new vehicles for the 65 MPs, yet skepticism remains about whether the decision will truly halt the allocation of taxpayer money towards luxury expenditures.
Timor-Leste, with a youthful demographic, showcases an active civil society where protests have become a normal aspect of democracy. The events mirror discontent seen in other Asian nations, prompting questions about governance and equity in the region.
