Briefs | Macau-Phuket air link starts on January 8

AirAsia will launch a direct link between Macau and Phuket, starting January 8, Santisuk Klongchaiya, director of commercial for Thai AirAsia, told Phuket News. Santisuk said that he believes the new flight “will attract people in Macau and its vicinity to Phuket.” “We will be using our strengths of low fares, on-time service and trustworthy reputation to draw in travellers and help stimulate the island’s economy,” he added. The establishment of the route was already expected. AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes was in Macau recently and said that Macau is the low-cost airline’s “number one priority in North Asia” and that new routes will be added very soon.

Lawmaker presents new trade union law

Lawmaker Pereira Coutinho said yesterday that he has submitted a new proposal to establish a trade union law to the president of the Legislative Assembly. Coutinho is asking Ho Iat Seng to convene the lawmakers to vote on his proposal. According to the lawmaker, the proposal aims to cover the definition of “fundamental rights” of workers in both the private and public sectors.

Pakeong Sequeira exhibition opens on Friday

The exhibition “Lonely Tones – Works by Fortes Pakeong Sequeira” will open on Friday at the AFA Macau gallery. The local artist will showcase his latest artworks which include installation and animation pieces. The exhibition will be open to the public from October 28 to November 26. AFA Macau is located at the  Macau Art Garden.

Coutinho’s sons convicted

The two sons of lawmaker Pereira Coutinho were sentenced to a prison term of  eight years and a half for drug trafficking. The siblings were aged 31 and 27 in December, when they were detained. The sentence was read yesterday at the Court of First Instance. The judges said that “most of the facts by presented the prosecution were proven.” The defendants intend to appeal the verdict.