Briefs | Top officials attend Liaison Office vice head’s funeral

Major government officials yesterday morning bid farewell to the former deputy director of the Central Government Liaison Office in Macau, Chan Kai Meng, at the Kiang Wu funeral parlor. Chan passed away two weeks ago, aged 63. He was extolled by the Liaison Office as a patriot devoted to the promotion and implementation of the “one country two systems” principle after the region returned to Chinese sovereignty. The official, born in Macau in 1953, also held many significant posts in the public service relating to mainland affairs before he joined the Liaison Office in August 2006.

Rosário reacts to CCAC report

The Secretaryfor Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário, has reacted to the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC)’s report into the forfeiture of 16 idle plots of land. The secretary’s office issued a statement saying that, even before he knew of the report, Mr Rosário had instructed the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau to recover unused land in certain instances, including when public concessions have reach their deadlines, and cases where the stipulated time period to develop the land has been exceeded.

Promotional video about coastal waters launched

The State Council of the PRC issued Decree No. 665 and the Map of the Administrative Division of the MSAR a few days ago. The map now officially includes​​ 85 square kilometers of coastal waters ​​under Macau’s jurisdiction. In order to raise awareness and inform residents about the management and utilization of these maritime areas, the Government Information Bureau (GCS) has produced a promotional video titled “Maritime Areas Under the Jurisdiction of the Macau SAR,” which is available for viewing on the bureau’s official YouTube channel. The promotional video shows the delineation of the maritime area that now comes under MSAR’s jurisdiction and highlights the benefits this change provides for the territory.

Application criteria for social housing revised

The government has revised the financial thresholds for social housing applicants, according to yesterday’s issue of the Official Gazette. The adjusted criteria stipulate that the income of applicants from a one-person family should not exceed MOP9,560, up from MOP9,340. Three-person family applicants will experience the most significant adjustment, as the new provision raises the upper income limit to MOP20,040, up from MOP17,740. Another criterion, regarding applicants’ overall assets has also been devised. One-person family applicants can not be in possession of assets worth over MOP206,500, up from MOP201,800. Meanwhile, three-person family applicants should not own assets worth over MOP432,900, which is up from MOP383,200.