On September 26, 2025, East Timor's parliament voted unanimously to end a law that granted lifetime pensions to former parliamentarians and public officials. This decision came after significant protests led by university students, who demanded the cancellation of lavish perks for lawmakers in a country where poverty affects over 40% of the population. The protests were sparked by a controversial budget item that allocated $4.2 million for luxury SUVs for MPs. Following three days of demonstrations, which included clashes with police, lawmakers agreed to scrap both the car purchases and the lifetime pensions. The law will now be sent to President Jose Ramos Horta for approval. The protests reflect broader discontent in the region, as similar demonstrations against government corruption and economic policies have occurred in neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines.