The people of Timor-Leste got a shock today with the announcement that members of the country's government have inked an eight-figure deal to take part in their own reality TV show, currently under the working title "Who Wants to Be a Dili-onaire?"

The show is being produced by MTV and camera crews will follow around each of the government ministers, deputy prime ministers Mario Carrascalao and Jose Guterres, and the prime minister himself, Xanana Gusmao.

The show will be aired the course of several weeks, with a week devoted to each person and his or her family, as well as a series of special behind-the-scenes shows, all of which will be broadcast locally on big screens in front of the government palace in the capital Dili.

Gusmao says he has high hopes for the show.

"The whole world will be able to let the government of Timor-Leste into their lives. We are a fun-loving bunch and we made the decision to show the world that we have nothing to hide," he said.

"There will be lots of surprises in the show. We like to dance, drink, talk on the phone and sometimes we play board games. I recently discovered a new one — Mouse Trap — and we've been playing it every night at home," he added.

The justice minister's week, dubbed "At Home with the Lobatos", is eagerly anticipated by fans of the former presidential candidate.

"I welcome the cameras into my home. They can come, any time, any place, any way. My husband and I are just a normal family," said justice minister Lucia Lobato.

"I recently changed my hairstyle in preparation for the show," she added.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Agio Pereira shed a little light on the history of the reality TV show.

"The FRETILIN government actually tried to do something similar with Channel V a few years ago. However, I don't think the previous government was seen as entertaining enough for TV, so the whole thing was scrapped," he said.

Conspiracy theorists think there may be more to it.

Respected scholar Teddy Hart said, "It's one of those things that everyone knows, but nobody likes to talk about — like mistresses. A few years ago, FRETILIN was pitching the idea of a show like this to major TV networks, and there was a lot of interest.

"Certain individuals outside of the government heard about this and wanted in on the action, but were told they wouldn't be featured in the show," he added.

"Soon enough, the crisis of 2006 happened, there was fighting everywhere and then there was a change in the government. Now all of a sudden, the whole thing is back on. Nobody is immune from the lure of TV stardom," he said.

When questioned about whether it was justifiable for members of the government to receive huge amounts of money to be filmed for MTV, justice minister Lobato replied, "I have looked in the Constitution and there is nothing there that says members of the government cannot take part in reality TV shows."

Ramos-Horta, who has declined to be featured on the show, thinks this is a positive step for the country he fought for during the 24-year Indonesian occupation that lasted until 1999.

"How can Timor-Leste be a failed state if we have our own reality TV show? Does Obama have his own TV show? Does Kevin Rudd?" he said.

Shooting for the show was slated to begin this month but has been postponed until September.

"At the moment, all the focus is on the Tour de Timor [bike race]," said the president.

Police commander Longuinhos Monteiro says the nation's national force will work together with the army provide security for film crews and members of the government at all times.

The United Nations Police has promised to be on hand in case of emergencies while members of the Portuguese Guarda Nacional Republicana have all confirmed for the wrap party.

FRETILIN leader Mari Alkatiri, meanwhile, vowed to boycott the show in favor of the latest season of Top Chef.