Comissão Anti-Corrupção (Anti-Corruption Commission) of Timor-Leste
CAC
Summary
The Comissão Anti-Corrupção (CAC) was established by Law No. 8/2009 as an independent body with a mandate to prevent, detect, and prosecute corruption across all public bodies, including PNTL and correctional officials. The CAC Commissioners are appointed by the National Parliament for 4-year terms and may be removed only for cause. The CAC has investigative powers including compelled document production and compelled testimony. Where corruption findings concern law-enforcement conduct (e.g., bribery, abuse of authority), the CAC refers to the Prosecutor-General for prosecution; the CAC does not independently discipline LE officers or investigate use-of-force. Records access is partial — the CAC may requisition financial and administrative records but statutory access to BWC footage or IA files is not specified. The CAC publishes annual reports to Parliament without executive pre-publication review.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Law on the Anti-Corruption Commission
- Citation
- Law No. 8/2009
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All public officials and public bodies of Timor-Leste suspected of corruption, bribery, or abuse of office; includes members of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and any law-enforcement or corrections officer acting in a public capacity.