Dili, April 7^th, 2021. His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, called on the people of Dili not to believe the rumors launched, a few days ago, by some irresponsible groups, who suggested that a tsunami will hit Dili. The Head of Government considered that these people, who launch this type of rumors, are enemies of the country, and that these actions must be acted upon. Thus, as Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister has already ordered the Vice-Minister of the Interior and the PNTL Command to identify the authors of these rumors.

“I ask the population not to believe in the group that every night circulates with a vehicle and shouts “tsunami”. I have already instructed the Vice-Minister of the Interior and the Police to identify who, during the night, is launching these rumors and causing panic among the population. Last night there were some people who fled due to rumors about the rising sea. The perpetrators must be caught and arrested. Such people are an enemy of the nation. Our country is in the State of Emergency. We cannot play with the stupidity of one or two people”, appealed the Head of the Government.

 The former FALINTIL guerrilla also asked the citizens not to believe these rumors, pointing out that the people that in the past didn’t want to see Timor-Leste independent, today still exist. They still don’t like that Timor-Leste is a peaceful country to live in. However, the Head of Government warned these groups to be careful and not to play with the State. Although we live in a democracy, this country is a democratic rule of law, and that means that everyone must abide by the Law.

“The role of the state is to lead the nation, to take care of the country and defend it against people’s bad behavior, so I ask all citizens not to believe this because there are people who don’t like our country. Naturally, if in the past they did not like Timor being an independent country, they still do not like it now. But we ask them to be careful, not to exaggerate. Our country is a democracy, but it is also a State under the Rule of Law, and that means that we all live under the Law, the Law is above the President, it is above the Prime Minister, it is above all citizens. They must understand this.”  FIM/M-GPM