Briefs | CCAC says secretariat dissolution is legal

The Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) has ruled that the dissolution of the secretariat of the Urban Planning Council is lawful. Following a complaint from the New Macau Association, CCAC noted yesterday that the council is responsible for issuing opinions on the processes of drafting, implementing, reviewing and amending urban plans. “While the law provides that the composition and operation of the Council are stipulated by complementary administrative regulations, it does not provide for or restrict whether or not a secretariat shall be established under the Council,” CCAC stated.

Man dies at Galaxy construction site

A 42-year-old man died yesterday at the construction site of the Galaxy resort in Cotai, according to a TDM report. The mainland Chinese employee fell 12 meters. The man reportedly fell to his death while setting up a bamboo scaffolding structure.

Paid vacation policy may help reducing crowds

The Central Government intends to further implement “paid vacations” under its Labour Contract Law to prevent large numbers of mainland Chinese tourists from visiting Macau during the Golden Week vacation, said Ho Iat Seng, member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. The 57-year-old told the Macao Daily the new regulation might entitle mainlanders to freely choose their days off each year to go on holidays. By that time, it is expected that the daily number of Chinese tourists to the territory would be more balanced.

CPPCC delegates suggest single  customs clearance

Ten Macau CPPCC delegates jointly proposed implementing a “unilateral customs clearance” system at the Hengqin border by putting related laws and regulations into place. The current clearance mode, they claimed, no longer served the growing number of tourists from both sides, resulting in the checkpoints’ low efficiency and inconvenience caused to visitors. The delegates also suggested building a “joint inspection station” which could accommodate the surging number of tourists. They also believed that such a pilot scheme could extend to the Zhuhai and Macau checkpoints later when it was proven successful.