Inacio Dejesus, the National Director of Timor-Leste Electricity (EDTL) last week said electricity would be cut off to all territories on August 21 because the government had not paid fuel providers SACOM and ETTO.

Dejusis said the two fuel companies - which supply Hera and Betano power stations - had outstanding bills of $6 million and $33 million respectively.

Mangalhaaes told media on Monday that the government was “aware” fuel had been cut off to Hera and Betano, but after meeting with the fuel companies he could “guarantee” electricity would stay on across Timor-Leste.

The Democratic Party continues to pressure the government to explain why the bills had not been paid when $140 million of State Money had recently been approved.

"We want to know because the public is worried,” Adriaono do Nasimento said in National Parliament on Tuesday.

Nasimento said the public deserved to know the real reason behind the unpaid bills.

The electricity concern comes as blackouts continue to strike across the country.