Taur Matan Ruak said that several projects scheduled for payment were without a contract.

Ruak told parliament on Friday that it must prioritise payment of state debts, but should also “guarantee transparency” in State budget spending.

"We will pay 142 existing projects but we must first examine which one is entitled to be paid and which should not be paid,” he said.

Nelia Menezes, Fretelin member, said there was evidence 60 of the 142 projects scheduled for payment did not have a suitable work contract.

Speaking in parliament after Ruak, Menezes said these projects had a bill of US$16 million.

Menezes said he “strongly agreed” with Ruak’s call to have state debts financially regulated and paid “immediately.”

Ruak’s 2018 State Budget scheduled for parliamentary vote on Friday, is expected to reach US$ 1,279.6 million.

It is divided into: US$ 200,312 million for salaries and wages; US$ 421,666 million for goods and services; US$ 261,925 million for public transfers; US$ 3,659 million for Minor Capital; and US$ 392.037 million in Development Capital, which includes the Infrastructure and Loans Fund.