Briefs | Amended written test syllabus for licenses

The Transport Bureau (DSAT) revealed that it has finished drafting the amendment to the written test syllabus for driver’s licenses, which will be put into use in early 2015. In the amended version, another 16 questions related to traffic signals were added to question collection no. 1. The bureau has also developed two more question collections (collections no. 4 and no. 5) on top of the original three collections. This has added a total of 255 questions to the syllabus. Moreover, DSAT has changed the evaluation regulations of the written test. After the new syllabus is introduced, candidates will have to answer a total of 50 questions that have been selected out of the five question books. If they give more than eight wrong answers out of the total 50, or more than two wrong answers in any one of the five collections, they will be failed. The bureau has already held a seminar to explain the changes to the industry, and is expected to adopt the new syllabus in the first quarter of next year.

Charity album debuts

The Macau Original Melodies Vol. 1, an album that contains ten original songs and seven music videos by nine Macau singers, was launched last Saturday. The charity album was produced by Macau artist Hyper Lo Ka Hou, and was supported and funded by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Foundation. During the launch at Friendship Square (Praça da Amizade), the nine local singers performed their own songs live for the public. There were also booths set up to provide free eardrum-checking services. All proceeds from the sales of the album will be donated to the Macau Deaf Association. Hyper Lo said that that the Macau singers have been working very hard in terms of the quality of the production. “However, there was not much cooperation between the artists. I believe that the Macau Original Melodies Vol. 1 is a breakthrough of mine as well as for the local music industry, as it lines up nine singers from different realms,” he said.

Nine community nannies ready for action

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and three community organizations officially launched the Community Nanny program last Saturday. IAS president Iong Kong Io revealed that, after the evaluation and training had been conducted by the three organizations that operate the program for the Bureau – namely Caritas Macau, the Women’s General Association of Macau, and the General Union of Neighborhood Associations of Macau – nine candidates out of 19 applicants were deemed suitable to be community nannies. One nanny has been successfully matched with a family, with four other partnerships of nannies and families still undergoing the matching process. Iong Kong Io said that he is optimistic about the results of the program, and has promised to constantly review and improve the program in order to further promote it.

GAES organizes legal degree accreditation seminar

The Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) held a seminar yesterday to introduce local secondary students to the accreditation of legal studies in Macau. More than 130 students attended the event. During the seminar, Macau Lawyers Association’s secretary, Paulino Comandante, said that Macau already has a Portuguese foundation course for those who obtained legal degrees from overseas, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the local legal system before practicing law in Macau.

First Instance acquits businessman

The Court of First Instance (TJB) has ruled that businessman Teng Man Lai was not guilty of making a false statement in order to acquire the ownership of Tou Fa Gong and later sell it to another businessman. After investigation, the Public Prosecution Office (MP) accused Mr Teng of forging legal documents and making a false statement in order to seize ownership of Tou Fa Gong, a strip of land adjacent to the Red Market, through acquisitive prescription. However, the court ruled that the actions of Teng Man Lai did not constitute committing the crimes that he was accused of. One of the shop-owners in Tou Fa Gong said that she was disappointed with the verdict and hoped that the MP would appeal against the ruling. Meanwhile, Teng Man Lai maintained his innocence and claimed that he was not afraid of standing trial again if the prosecutor decided to appeal.