The Legislative Assembly (AL) resumed activities last Friday after the holiday period. At its first plenary of the new legislative session, the AL approved a proposal to open a debate on the cancellation of all monthly passes for public car parks. Nevertheless, the proposal passed by a single vote, with 14 votes in favor, 13 against, and one abstention.
The debate proposal, submitted by lawmakers Song Pek Kei and Si Ka Lon, met with some opposition, with some lawmakers expressing their fears that cancelling passes could send the wrong signal.
“This debate might result in the removal of some of our residents and citizens’ rights, so I don’t agree with it,” said Tsui Wai Kwan.
Some lawmakers agreed that monthly tickets are to blame for the current shortage of parking spaces and that cancelling them will contribute to fairer use of the few spaces available.
“Citizens often complain that, even when there are only three or four cars queuing for car park spaces, they have to wait for more than an hour. After they enter the car park, they find that at least 10 monthly ticket spaces are empty,” said Ella Lei.
“This debate proposal will present the government with a dilemma, and galvanize society. If the rights citizens obtain according to the law are not protected, it would be frightening,” said Tsui Wai Kwan.
Others, like Ng Kuok Cheong, highlighted the fact that “the shortage of parking spaces can’t be completely solved by cancelling the monthly ticket spaces,” adding it would be impossible.” Yet he reaffirmed that “whether or not to cancel these spaces or how to handle them concerns public interest” and should be debated with the Secretary for Transport and Public Works Mr Raimundo do Rosario in the next AL session. RM
al budget approved unanimously
On the second point of the agenda, the AL unanimously approved its own budget for 2016. The budget, which totaled almost MOP184 million, marked a growth of approximately 10 per cent compared to last year’s exercise. The increase was justified by the higher costs of staff wages, contributions for the Social Security Fund and the need to change air conditioning units, many of which had been in operation for more than 10 years.
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