CE highlights ‘social harmony’ on Father’s Day

Chui Sai On and Alexis Tam

Chief Executive Chui Sai On has highlighted the role of harmony within the family in the context of social progress. In a message delivered to mark Father’s Day yesterday, Mr Chui reminded residents to “care for their families with love.”
The Chief Executive acknowledged that, “harmony is a crucial element for social progress (…) and it is essential for the development of the economy, and for improving [residents’] quality of life.”
“We have to be more confident in our system and the path we have taken, both in terms of ethical values and of civilization. Indeed, we have progressed and attained success, but we need to keep working,” he said.
Mr Chui acknowledged that, “the current system has yet to be able to effectively respond to society’s demands.”
“The government is responsible for establishing legal systems and promote credible investigations into providing solutions to society’s problems,” he added.
The Chief Executive pledged to safeguard social justice and expedite works to establish efficient and long-term social welfare mechanisms, namely by improving social security, health, housing, education, and staff training services.
Mr Chui believes that familial harmony depends on external factors and stressed that the local government is determined to respond to residents’ aspirations, so that they “feel the family’s warmth.”
The Chief Executive also emphasised Macau’s youngsters in his message, stressing that the government believes in their ability to think independently and critically. He then encouraged them to express their opinions “with positive energy.”
To mark Father’s Day, Mr Chui shared his personal experience. “When I returned to Macau after studying abroad, my father was in hospital battling a serious illness. My family and I spent his last days with him at the hospital. It’s been 31 years since I returned to Macau for work and even today I regret immensely that I did not get the chance to share moments of happiness with my father,” he said.
This is the second message that the Chief Executive has issued following the launch of a new section on his official website, entitled “Words from the CE.” Together with an audio clip, the first article, written in a similar style, was published on May 10. The article reflected on Macau’s goal of turning itself into a world-class travel and leisure destination. CP

Alexis Tam pledges to safeguard social benefits

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, pledged that under his portfolio, he would not cut Macau residents’ social welfare benefits.
He recalled that Chief Executive Chui Sai On has already stressed that the current social welfare benefits will remain in place even if the government needs to implement austerity measures.
Mr Tam has already instructed all services under his secretariat to cut government expenses, namely by reducing official trips both domestically and internationally.
The secretary stressed that residents should not be concerned about social welfare benefits as the finances of the Macau government are still stable despite the current period of national economic adjustment.
Mr Tam reiterated that Macau’s tourism market is robust and that the local economy shows good signs. Nevertheless, he added that if the economy underperforms, he and his team will reinforce tourism promotion activities in mainland China and abroad.