Agio Pereira, a senior official overseeing the national intelligence agency, recently claimed that US$45 million has been funnelled into the country by transnational criminal syndicates from these regions, along with Cambodia and Malaysia. He alleges that this money is being used to corrupt regulatory bodies, secure fraudulent licenses, and establish enclaves for illegal activities, including gambling and human trafficking.
Pereira claims to have “undeniable and damning evidence” that US$45 million has been brought (in some cases flown) into the country by “transnational criminal syndicates from Cambodia, Malaysia, Macau and Hong Kong”.
He calls for the revocation of suspicious licenses, collaboration with international law enforcement, and investigations into officials accused of corruption. While he did not provide specific evidence, his status lends weight to the allegations, raising concerns about the integrity of East Timor’s institutions.
According to an article by The Conversation, in response to these serious claims, President José Ramos-Horta acknowledged that while East Timor does not have homegrown organized crime, it is vulnerable to external threats, especially given its fragile political landscape. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao indicated that Pereira would have the chance to discuss these concerns directly with the government, emphasizing the need for a measured and thorough investigation.
On October 1, following Pereira’s manifesto, the cabinet swiftly approved a resolution to cancel existing online gambling licenses. This decision marks a significant step in addressing the growing concerns about the influence of organized crime in the region.
However, the demand for investigations into implicated officials remains unaddressed, raising questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The context of Pereira’s allegations is critical, as Southeast Asia has seen a dramatic rise in cybercrime and illegal activities facilitated by organized crime networks. Countries like Cambodia and the Philippines have become notorious hubs for scams, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, with criminal groups constantly seeking new bases of operation. East Timor’s strategic location—just a short flight from Darwin—makes it an attractive target for such syndicates, particularly as Australia and its allies compete for influence in the region.
Pereira’s allegations follow a police raid on a suspected scam center in Oecusse-Ambeno, where authorities detained 30 foreign nationals from Indonesia, Malaysia, and China. This incident has heightened concerns about the extent of organized crime’s infiltration into East Timor, especially in the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno, which has been targeted by criminal networks through foreign direct investment.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that organized crime groups have attempted to establish an “Oecusse Digital Centre,” exploiting the region’s loose regulatory frameworks. The report highlighted alarming similarities between East Timor and other Southeast Asian countries that have struggled with similar issues, underscoring the potential risks to the nation’s security and governance.
Nelson Belo, director of the civil society and security monitoring organization Fundasaun Mahein, emphasized the need for leaders to operate within the law, while former government minister Abel Pires suggested that the pervasive nature of the problem may have forced Pereira’s hand.
