Soybean Cake West Timor West Timor is part of Indonesia but occupies the same island as East Timor, and shares the same culture. West Timor is the poorest part of Indonesia, and in no position to support large numbers of refugees, or control the lawless militias. West Timor, together with its East Timor refugees, is in sore need of assistance from the international community. Because West Timor has natural disadvantages, which are greater than East Timor's. There is no oil or coffee such as East Timor has, and the tourist potential which East Timor has, does not exist in West Timor.
Poverty is endemic and widespread.
Because West Timor, as part of Indonesia, is suffering from the weak state of the Indonesian economy. An example of inadequate income is the case of teachers at Catholic schools who receive between Rp 30,000 to Rp 75,000 per month. They receive no rice on a monthly basis, as do government teachers. Because West Timor has suffered enormously from the tragedy of East Timor, and has little chance of attracting investment or UN assistance, as East Timor has. It is weaker in 2001 than it was in 1998.