Spokesperson for MEUJTL, Eldino Sama Luli, made public student’s demands to the Independente calling for immediate accountability on the money for each car auction and the location of all cars.

Former government members were allowed to sell their State PRADO vehicles in private auctions for US$8000. However many cars, and the proceeds of the private auctions remain unaccounted for.

In response, hundreds of students have banded together to express their concerns over the “irresponsible government spending.” On Wednesday they sent a signed petition letter to the Present of National Parliament calling for immediate recall of vehicles and funds.

Eldino said students would conduct mass protests if the vehicles were “not immediately returned.” He said students “will be ready to die.''

In August 2017 hundreds of students from University of Timor-Leste took to the streets in protest over the planned auction of government cars, alleging the cars were being deliberately marked down and would cause state losses.

At the time protesters clashed with police who retaliated firing tear gas to disperse the protestors. Several protestors were detained and some police officers were injured.

Arao Noe, President of National Parliament, said Wednesday parliament would hold a meeting to “address the issue in the near future.”