Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 11th, 2026
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 11th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, and the Chair of the Civil Service Commission (CFP), Agostinho Letêncio de Deus, on the Extraordinary Step Progression for Staff in the General Civil Service Career.
The legislation establishes a scheme for the extraordinary step progression for staff in the general Civil Service career, aiming to promote motivation, professional development, and improved performance among civil servants, and to enhance the efficiency and quality of service delivery by public administration bodies.
Under this scheme, civil servants in grades D to A are entitled to advancement by one salary step, whilst those in grades G to E are entitled to advancement by two salary steps, except those in the penultimate step, who are entitled to advancement by one salary step.
The scheme does not apply to staff on probation, those serving a disciplinary period of suspension or inactivity, those on unpaid leave, those who received a rating lower than ‘Good’ in their last performance appraisal, and those who are already at the top step of their respective grade. Nor are civil servants eligible for this extraordinary progression if they benefited in 2026 from the general civil service career promotion scheme.
The extraordinary progression provided for in this legislation shall have retroactive effect from August 1st, 2026.
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The draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister for State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, approving the timetable for electoral registration abroad as part of preparations for the 2027 presidential elections, was also approved.
The legislation stipulates that the registration and updating of electoral registration records abroad will take place between October 8th, 2026, and January 22nd, 2027. Additional material and human resources will be deployed at the main diplomatic missions and consular posts, and the possibility of setting up mobile registration posts will be considered. The extended period is also intended to allow voters to update their details for the new biometric system and to facilitate the exercise of the right to vote by Timorese citizens living abroad.
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According to the presentation by the Minister for Public Works, Samuel Marçal, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise expenditure and to launch the procurement procedure for the construction and installation of the Hybrid Energy Supply System for the island of Ataúro, with an estimated cost of US$13.5 million.
The project involves installing a system that integrates solar photovoltaic power, battery storage, and modern diesel generators to ensure a more stable and efficient 24-hour electricity supply, reduce production costs, and support the island’s development and improved living conditions.
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The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, to terminate the appointment of Alexandre Gentil Corte-Real de Araújo and to appoint Nelinho Vital in his place as an effective member by the Government on the Superior Council of the Judiciary for a four-year term.
This Council is responsible for overseeing and disciplining the work of judicial magistrates, as well as for appointing, placing, transferring and promoting judges in Timor-Leste. The Superior Council of the Judiciary is chaired by the Judge President of the Supreme Court of Justice and comprises four members, one of whom is appointed by the Government.
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Minister Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai also briefed the Council of Ministers on the process for renewing the passports of Timorese citizens living and working in Israel, which was carried out for the first time directly in that country, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The Council of Ministers also watched a video sent by the Timorese community in Israel, in which they expressed their gratitude to the Government for the initiative, which had facilitated the renewal of travel documents and avoided the need to travel to other countries for that purpose. END
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