Briefs | Ng Kuok Cheong asks for Central Provident Fund review

Lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong has urged the government to review the city’s Central Provident Fund system. In his written inquiry provided to the government, Ng asked the government to report on the fund participation of the six gaming operators and the nearly 40 hotels that also have casinos within their premises. The lawmaker questioned why some casinos do not participate in the fund. In addition to casinos, Ng also pointed out the participation situation of special concessionaires, education and social service organizations, which are subsidized by the government, in the Central Provident Fund.

IPIM corruption case still under investigation

On Sunday, Commissioner Against Corruption Cheung Weng Chon and Prosecutor General of the Public Prosecutions Office Ip Son Sang said that authorities were still investigating the misconduct of the President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion (IPIM), Jackson Chang, as well as that of two other high-ranking officials. Cheung said that when authorities sue the three, the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) would reveal the accusations to the public. Ip also said that the case needs a longer period for analysis, further noting that once the court has an official trial schedule, the prosecution authority will announce the detailed accusations.

Regarding whether or not the three men are involved in corruption, Ip said that it would be unfair to the suspects at the current stage to reveal the accusations.

Wong: No extreme situation concerning illegal tour guides

The Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said that the Public Security Police (PSP) and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) have been working closely to combat mainland tour guides who practice in Macau. Ever since the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, mainland tour guides have reportedly been leading tour groups to visit Hong Kong and Macau. Wong said that once PSP finds any illegal tour guides, it will inform MGTO. However, at this stage PSP does not have data to indicate whether or not there is an abnormal situation with illegal tour guides. 

Taiwan-Macau fuel surcharge decreased

The fuel surcharge for all flights departing Taiwan and arriving in Macau has been decreased from USD20 to USD17.50, with the change taking effect from Sunday. According to a notice on the Air Macau website, the fuel surcharge, which is adjusted in accordance with fuel prices on a monthly basis, will be “applied per flight sector and collected based on the journey’s [origin].” The charge is applied to adults, children and infants.

Legal Affairs Bureau organizes Greater Bay common heritage workshop

The Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) will  co-organize a workshop on the “Common Cultural Heritage of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” with the Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM) in the Lotus Room of the Grand Lapa Hotel, Macau on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop is incorporated in the 3rd Cooperation Program in the Legal Area between the Macau SAR and the EU. With the themes of the “Preservation and Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Greater Bay Area” and the “Common Lingnam Cultural Heritage in the Greater Bay Area: Current Perspective and Preservation of Tangible and Intangible Heritage”, the workshop aims at providing a common platform for academics and experts in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, with a view to exchange professional knowledge about the common cultural heritage and its legal implications as well as the best practical implications in this area in order to contribute to the preservation of the common cultural heritage in the Greater Bay Area.