Nine positions in the Alliance for Change and Progress (AMP) coalition government – which Khunto is a coalition member – ministerial cabinet remain empty since Guterres rejected almost a dozen nominations because of their involvement in corruption investigations.

Naimori called the opposition’s support essential for ensuring “the issue was not repeated in the future.”

He also made clear his view that Guterres was capable of solving the government structure “wisely.”

Civil society commentators note the coalition government’s inability to finalise its ministerial cabinet  as representative of its leaders being governed by own party agendas.

Daniel Dos Santos, Director of Timor-Leste NGO Forum (FONGTIL) , said the government “failed to coordinate and communicate because of an unresolved  resolve past.”

Over the past 12 months the AMP government has executed just 31per cent of the agreed

2019 State budget, which Santos said was indicative of a government not working effectively.

Santos called for immediate installation of people into the nine outstanding cabinet positions.