DILI: East Timor’s president has refused to swear in 11 cabinet ministers because of corruption investigations in a rocky beginning for a new government formed after a protracted political stalemate in the young nation.

Taur Matan Ruak, a former president and independence fighter, was sworn in as prime minister on Friday after a three-party alliance won a majority of parliament seats in a May 25 election.

President Francisco Guterres Lu Olo said eight ministers, including the finance and defence ministers, and three vice-ministers can’t be sworn in because the public prosecutor’s office is investigating corruption cases against them. Some also have previous corruption convictions, he said.

The election in May followed the collapse of a minority government that was in power for just a few months.

Despite the shaky start, Matan Ruak said the new administration would be a “confident government” that develops the country without leaving anyone behind.

“The time of lacking dialogue, of non-com­­­pliance, deadlock or crisis, is fortunate­ly past, and was overcome by the exemplary behaviour of the different parties and leaders, and by the political maturity shown by our citizens,” he said.

Independence hero Xanana Gusmao, who led the biggest party in the winning alliance, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony in protest at the president’s decision to refuse the 11 cabinet members. East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, was occupied by Indonesia for a quarter century.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018