AL Plenary | Chui: ‘2018 will be a good opportunity for Macau’s development’

The Chief Executive (CE), Chui Sai On, attended the Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary meeting yesterday, where he answered lawmakers’ questions on several topics relating to Macau’s development.

During the plenary session, Chui said that he believes the economic slowdown is over after 20 months of economic adjustment. “The general trend of the following few years seems promising,” he stated.

Several lawmakers, including Cheang Chi Keong, questioned Chui on how Macau could seize opportunities to further participate in regional cooperation activities, including cooperation with mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Chui was questioned about Macau’s future and particularly its participation in China’s Greater Bay Area program, as well as Macau’s intention to develop as a link between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

During yesterday’s session, Chui repeatedly praised mainland China for always incorporating Macau in its plans.

“Thanks [to mainland China] for allowing Macau to participate in the whole development [China-Portuguese speaking countries platform]. […] We need to enhance our investment in policy research and our investment in mainland affairs. […] It will bring Macau a new development magic. […] I believe that the year of 2018 will be a good opportunity for Macau’s development with the support of the State. […] This is not only the government’s job, but also a job where all the residents take part,” said Chui.

Chui pointed out that since Macau currently has many development opportunities available, all sectors should consider if the region is ready to undertake the significant amounts of work to actualize these opportunities.

Chui also noted that Macau will build itself as a leading region for training in world tourism, serving as a foundation of culture. 

Sio Chi Wai asked Chui what measures the government is considering to improve the quality of the city’s public servants, and to strengthen their training.

In response, Chui said, “Most civil servants are diligent. However, it is undeniable that the public administration indeed has problems. […] The civil servants are very united when special incidents take place in Macau, which allows us to overcome these periods peacefully. […] The civil servants contributed a lot to the region’s security and regular functions,” said Chui.

Lau Veng Seng asked whether the government is considering the establishment of a better medical system, by providing more opportunities to private medical service providers, and improving the medical welfare provision system.

Chui said that Macau’s medical costs have been continuously increasing, and that it is “worth studying” whether the residents should and are willing to contribute more for better medical services.

The CE pointed out that issues such as these are at the heart of Lau’s questions.

Ho Ion Sang criticized the government for its poor job at the Border Gate bus terminal, where people “suffer from high temperatures and polluted air.”

Ho questioned how Macau could behave as if it had the reception abilities of a tourism city in light of the border gate bus terminal issues.

Chui admitted that the government was aware of the poor environmental conditions at the terminal, and that the government “is determined to solve the problem.”

“The government has implemented a series of policies [to solve the problem], however the effect has not been ideal. In a short time, [the government] will conduct a remediation project,” announced Chui. According to Chui, the government will soon conduct the first phase of the project, which will last for five months.

Under this project, the government will expand the ventilation system at the border gate bus terminal, renovate the flower garden, expand the pedestrian walkways, and install a centralized air conditioner at the terminal.

During the first phase, air conditioners will be installed in the waiting lounge at the bus terminal.

Wong Kit Cheng and Melinda Chan were also among the lawmakers querying Chui about the government’s policy to accommodate the aging population and provide assistance to the elderly.

Chui noted that there are 28,000 elderly people studying within the continuous education program, and stated that the government will expand the service.

Regarding the younger population, the CE said that he plans to commission a study on the feasibility of building apartments for youth. The government is also expected to increase the number of nursing schools for children.

Zheng Anting questioned the process through which the government is investigating the amendment of the region’s land laws.

Chui said that the administration affairs and justice sectors are currently investigating the amendment of the region’s land laws.

Ng Kuok Cheong asked Chui whether the government will ensure that lands on the new urban zone will belong exclusively to Macau people, and that the lands will not be used by big property companies for business purposes. He pointed out that no previous research had been done.

Chui noted that the government will not approve lands randomly, and all policies and actions regarding the new urban zone will be in accordance with the city’s laws.

In addition, Angela Leong wanted the government to inform the public whether it will consider providing four years of free university education to students.

Chui said that Leong’s question is worth discussing. However, he pointed out that the local government is ensuring that Macau students will not be prevented from attending and completing university because of their family’s financial situation.

Chui told Leong that, currently, the government does not have the budget to provide four years of free tertiary education to everyone.

The CE pointed out that it is worth considering “whether our over-protection of [the students] will lead them to have a different opinion regarding competition. Even if we offer four years of free tertiary education, […] how can we balance the society’s development having so many graduates?”

Leong also wanted to know whether the government will build youth apartments over the Macau Canidrome land.

Chui confirmed that the government will not build houses on the Canidrome land.

Leonel Alberto asked whether the government is thinking about establishing laws to allow the Office for Personal Data Protection (GPDP) to meet international requirements in terms of its work, and to increase the office’s credibility.

In response, Chui mentioned that the relevant law is on the way, but needs more time to be well-drafted.  He promised that the GPDP will become a formal entity and will participate in international affairs.

‘Level of happiness’ disappoints

Chui delivered an optimistic forecast about Macau’s economy, but he acknowledged that the population is not satisfied with the standard of living here. “The level of happiness of the population is not as satisfactory,” he said. “We need to know what are the aspects that make the population displeased and what the social problems are.”