Timor's 'Yellow Peril'

This article in Jornal Nacional Diario could be a glimpse into the xenophobic undercurrent simmering beneath the facade of democratic and tolerant Timorese elites, or just simple populist demagoguery to placate a specific constituent. Either way, this represents a serious turn in Timor-Leste's politics and nothing pretty can come out of it. Xanana could be making the bed that the next generation will have no choice but to lay in.

Jornal Nacional Diario
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013 

Sosializasaun CM Iha Dili Adia Ba 25 Maiu
“PM Xanana: Intelektuais Dili Labele Hanoin De’it Osan” 

Xanana also asked the capable people to contribute to the thinking of the people, so that the Chinese cannot dominate Timorese in the capital, Dili. 

“Organize yourselves, meet together, speak with one another, otherwise the Ching Chang will rise above you, otherwise we talk about commerce to do what, industry to do what, because the biggest danger to us is that we have money, but if we did not have money then we will feel ashamed when our kids go asking for money, our kids go asking for US$20 but they only give US$10, we thank them and we are happy, but we have money so we don’t worry anymore,” Xanana explained. 

TETUM Original 

Jornal Nacional Diario
Tersa, 07 Maiu 2013
Sosializasaun CM Iha Dili Adia Ba 25 Maiu
“PM Xanana: Intelektuais Dili Labele Hanoin De’it Osan” 

Xanana mos husu matenek nain sira atu kontribui ba povu nia hanoin hodi nune’e Xina sira labele dumina fali Timroan sira iha kapital Dili. 

“Organiza an ba, hasoru malu ba, koalia ba malu, se la’e Shing-Zhang mak sa’e hela ba leten de’it, se lae ita temi komersiu ne’e atu halo saida, industria ne’e atu halo saida, tanba ita nia risku boot mak ita iha osan, osan laiha karik ita moe ita oan ita bah usu, dala ruma U$20 dolar sira fo U$10 dolar, ita agradese no kontenti ona, maibe ita iha osan ita la preokupa ona,” Xanana fundamenta. (more here)