Fidelis Mangales, the Parliamentary Minister of Legislative Reform, said in parliament there was “no need” to delay implementation,  and to proceed with $650 million buyout of ConocoPhillips’ and Royal Dutch Shell holdings in the Greater Sunrise gas project.

The Prime Minister responded, saying the government respected High Court proceedings and would follow its recommendations about future payments.

The decree removes a 20 percent cap on state participation in oil projects and allows Sunrise and other projects to bypass approvals by parliament in future.

On January 30, the opposition Fretilin party submitted the decree to the High Court for financial audit review.

The party has maintained the decree is illegal, and warned its modification risked losing transparency and accountability of petroleum fund use.

The controversial decree has overwhelming parliamentary backing, but had been

vetoed by the President of the Republic in December who said it could allow the petroleum funds to be misused.

He subsequently promulgated the decree on January 17.

Under Timor-Leste law, the President can veto a bill once, but must then ratify if it the bill wins a parliamentary vote of approval.