"The Pardo Vehicles that have not been returned by the third Member of Parliament will be settled," Aro Noe told media on Friday.

It is understood that several former Ministers privately auctioned their State vehicles for a starting price of US$8000.

The sales have drawn widespread criticism from civil society groups and student union groups claiming the auctions represented irresponsible use of money, as the new government should reuse the vehicles.

An investigation to find the 65 vehicles revealed some were unaccounted for.

Joaqim Dos Santos, a member of the Parliamentary Council of Administration (CAP), said it was “difficult” to locate the cars as the new owners had switched the government license plates to private plates.

 Santos accused Aderito Hugo, the former President of National Parliament, of mishandling the car issue by allowing the cars to be auctioned.

 Duarte Nunes, Chairman of National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), said members of the former government had been contacted and asked to attend National Parliament to resolve the issue.

Nunes said he believed “the problem would be resolved in the near future.”

Hugo declined to comment when contacted by the Independente, saying further discussion would inflame the issue.