Political commentators have urged the new government to cut the number of seated parliamentarians from 34 of 65 members in the interest of conserving state funds.

But representatives from the AMP say the number will stay in order to best serve people in the districts.

Speaking in National Parliament on Thursday, Arao Noe, the AMP Arbitration Chairman, said implementing decentralization of government and shifting power away from the capital city was a key priority.

Noe said heads of regions would be immediately installed and state funds would be allocated at the local level to hasten the pace of government response.

The comments come as outgoing Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said Fretilin was ready to be a “strong opposition,” and was committed to fighting corruption and reducing government spending.