Briefs | Slight cut to AL budget

The Legislative Assembly (AL) budget for the 2018 fiscal year will be reduced by around MOP1 million. The proposal establishes a budget of MOP184.6 million, which represents a cut of 0.71 percent when compared with the budget this year. In 2018, the AL hopes to spend MOP139 million on its staff. The main expenditure reduction – around 10 percent – comes from an expected decrease in the expenses related to studies, consultancy and translation. The budget will be discussed on November 6.

Vietnamese applicants must submit criminal record

Starting from February 2018, Vietnamese citizens seeking employment for the first time (or re-applying after a certain period of time) in Macau will be required to submit a Certificate of Criminal Record when applying for a non-resident worker permit. The Public Security Police announced the measure yesterday, stating that the measure comes in response to “the practical situation of Macau’s public security, immigration control and foreign labor market, and to further improve the management of migrant workers.”

Chief of police investigated

A chief police officer from the Public Security Police Force (PSP) is under investigation for allegedly having been an accessory to crimes involving forging immigration records for criminal groups. The police officer has already been suspended from his work. The PSP has initiated a disciplinary investigation of the officer, who is suspected of accepting bribes from criminals and illegally transporting people who had stayed past the legal limit of their visa out of the territory. Earlier in May, three chiefs of police were arrested for having been accessories to crimes of the same nature. The recently arrested chief police officer was involved in the same case as the other three detained police officers, who are currently under custody.

Agnes Lam refuses to withdraw AL motion

Lawmaker Agnes Lam was asked to withdraw a proposal she made to the Legislative Assembly (AL), as the proposal condemned the previous director of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), Fong Soi Kun. In her proposal, Lam accused the former SMG head of being incapable of establishing a proper typhoon forecast mechanism. She also wrote about her perception of his irresponsibility, which she believes was shown during Typhoon Hato. Earlier, Lam received a reply from  AL chairman Ho Iat Seng recommending that Lam should withdraw her proposal temporarily. However, despite expressing her respect towards Ho’s recommendation, Lam refused to withdraw her proposal.

Club des Chefs shares culinary insights with IFT students

The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Galaxy Entertainment Group organized a culinary event this week, which was attended by representatives of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs Association and students of the IFT Culinary Arts Management bachelor degree program. The founder and six chefs from the association shared their culinary insights and experience with the students. According to a statement issued by IFT, over 90 students and faculty members attended the event. Le Club des Chefs des Chefs is touted to be “the world’s most exclusive gastronomic society.” Members of this highly elite club are the current personal chefs of heads of states, or the executive chefs of the venues that host official state receptions.