Public outrage has reached boiling point over generous remuneration packages offered to foreign advisers in a country where half the population of about 1.1 million people lives below the poverty line.

The World Bank, however, says the salaries are set by the finance ministry in line with internationally accepted market rates, and calls the publication of the contract details a breach of privacy.

'I am concerned that the privacy of these individuals has been breached, in an environment in which they are by implication being identified as miscreants for accepting international market-rate salaries,' World Bank country director Nigel Roberts said.

Bank communications associate Aleta Moriarty added: 'The publication of the personal details of these well-qualified professionals is obviously a matter of concern.'

'It could, if further fanned, have implications for their willingness to continue with their employment in (East Timor). Should this occur, the net result will undoubtedly prove negative for development.'

The issue of contention is the salaries of international advisers employed as part of the Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Programme (PFMCBP), a five-year project to strengthen East Timor's finance ministry.

On April 24, the Tempo Semanal newspaper published on its website contracts of international advisers working in the PFMCBP with annual salaries ranging from about US$100,000 (S$145,000) to more than US$500,000 dollars.

The opposition Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) has jumped on the issue to attack the government of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

'The main concern is the process of recruitment and transparency in the ministry of finance. We have been asking questions but received no answers at all,' Fretilin member of parliament Arsenio Bano said.

'International advisers are employed on huge salaries in a country where half the population lives below the poverty line. It's irresponsible.' -- AFP