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 tyres 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. One student reported being hit by tear gas while protesting near her university.
She expressed her frustration by stating, 'I am angry at the lawmakers for wanting to buy luxury cars for work while their people are still suffering.'
Lawmakers in Timor-Leste earn an annual basic salary of $36,000, significantly higher than the nation's average income of approximately $3,000.
Cezario Cesar, a key figure in the protests, noted that previous demonstrations against free cars for lawmakers have occurred regularly since the 2000s. 'We started this protest when they decided to buy the cars,' he stated.
The parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to scrap the plan to buy new Toyota Prado SUVs for the country's 65 MPs. However, protests continued, with some expressing skepticism about the government's commitment to reversing the decision.
Demonstrators are also pushing for reform of a law providing former lawmakers with lifetime pensions, highlighting growing concerns over economic inequality and lawmakers' privileges.
Timor-Leste has one of the youngest populations in Southeast Asia, with more than 70% under the age of 35. Despite being touted as a democratic success, high levels of unemployment and poverty persist.
As similar protests erupt across Asia, from Nepal to Indonesia, Timor-Leste's protests symbolize a broader youth-led movement against government corruption and ineffectiveness.
