Chui Sai On launches his political platform, housing top priority

Members of the Electoral Affairs Committee draw lots to decide which members of the CE Election Committee will raise questions

Chui Sai On’s political platform, which was launched on Saturday, left little room for surprises: housing remains his top priority and if re-elected on August 31 he will work toward providing a higher number of public housing units, while demanding greater supply from the private sector.
Chui Sai On presented his campaign platform last Saturday at the Macau East Asian Games Dome, before engaging in a Q&A session with over 200 Electoral College members in attendance. Divided into four main areas, his political platform focuses on housing, economic development, social security and improved governance.
The sole candidate running for the Chief Executive’s office, Chui has promised to make readjustments to current reclamation Zone A, hoping to provide 32,000 housing units, and conclude a substantial part of the infrastructure works by 2019. He added that, if re-elected, his government will step up efforts to complete at least part of the public housing units planned for Zone A by 2020.
In a Q&A session with the Electoral College members, who will elect the next Chief Executive on August 31, Chui Sai On recognized that the next government will have to deal with complex issues, such as Macau’s scarce space to accommodate an ever-growing population.
“Over past years, we were able to build over 22,000 housing units. We will be readjusting plans for reclamation Zone A (…) and will also discuss with the private sector on providing more units,” he said.
Lawmaker and member of the Electoral College, Si Ka Lon, asked the Chief Executive to elaborate on current resources available for housing. Chui stressed that housing is a “top priority” and recognized that he has received many complaints related to this area. Therefore, he promised to “accelerate the land granting process for the construction of private housing units.”
Moreover, enduring efforts for recovering unused land is also on his agenda. The current CE claimed that, if necessary, the government will resort to legal means whenever a problem in recovering land arises. He promised that his team would tackle such cases with great enthusiasm.
Another measure to tackle land and space scarceness was announced, this time addressing gaming operators. Chui included in his political platform a demand for casino resorts upon reviewing current concession contracts: operators will have to provide both accommodation and transportation for their non-resident workers.

Chui Sai On presents his political platform

However, Ambrose So, who heads SJM Holdings, told reporters on Saturday that casino operators could only provide accommodation for their non-resident workers if the government grants them more land. He added that they will maintain a close dialogue with the government to better understand such new policy.
Several Electoral College members voiced their concerns regarding the import of foreign labor, although Chui Sai On has promised not to change the policy refraining non-residents from taking up jobs as casino dealers. This promise was reiterated in his political platform.
Although he recognized that there might be a shortage of labor, Chui said that “employment and career advancement [policies] addressing residents get priority.”
The sole candidate encourages Macau people working within the casino industry to further their knowledge and engage in more professional training courses, which could help them reach higher job posts.
“I hope people in Macau are able to evolve and work toward progressing in their careers. This is a matter of getting more involved,” he said, adding that the government will strive to provide opportunities for residents’ career advancement.
Chui Sai On hinted that residents may increasingly take up management positions, eventually becoming less dependent on foreign labor.
Electoral College members have also criticized Macau’s reliance on the gaming industry, and urged Chui to elaborate on measures set to diversify the city’s economy. Others focused on recent protests held by casino workers seeking better salaries and benefits. The CE foresees that more casino employees will have similar demands in the near future.
With Macau’s economy relying greatly on gambling revenue, the CE warned that economic growth might stabilize or even slow down in the near future. Therefore, he promised to reinforce the pace of other industries’ development, train talented employees, and convince them to stay in Macau.
“In my view, the gaming sector [is] experiencing such accelerated growth, [it] will [later] reach a phase of adjustment,” he said, hinting that there might be an economic slowdown.
Amongst measures seeking economic development, whilst controlling the gaming industry, the MSAR’s leader announced the establishment of the “World Center for Tourism and Leisure Committee.” The entity’s mission draws on developing and designing both medium- and long-term plans for turning Macau into a world center for tourism and leisure.
Chui Sai On also announced the establishment of a fund for industrial building maintenance, as well as an investment and development funds, to be linked to the MSAR’s financial reserve.
With lawmakers criticizing the Monetary Authority of Macau’s investment choices, the CE recognized that he has also heard some people’s opinions expressing that the government’s investment returns have lagged behind expectations. He recalled that the government couldn’t take too many risks while investing public money.
Nevertheless, experts will be invited to help the region chose wiser investments, he said.
The sole candidate also promised to work on social security matters, and unveiled last Saturday his plans to increase financial support for families in need, whilst accelerating construction works on homes for the elderly.
Chui is running for a second five-year term. An Electoral College comprising of 400 representatives from different sectors will be electing Macau’s next Chief Executive on August 31. The electoral campaign will run until August 29.

china and lusophone world ties reinforced

Seeking a second term, Mr Chui Sai On has promised to reinforce ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. In a Q&A session with Electoral College members that was held on Saturday, Chui said there is still space for improvement in the relations between China and the Lusophone countries. The current CE stated he will be working toward setting up the three centers of Forum Macau, announced last year, as soon as possible. “We are already looking into possible venues to set up the centers,” he said.

political program highlights

Redefining public housing scheme
Increasing “special taxi” licenses
More ecofriendly buses
Creating World Center of Tourism and Leisure Committee
Establishing MSAR investment and development fund
24-hour border
Increase aid to families in need
Only residents on casino dealers posts
Accountability regime

campaigning website launched

Chui Sai On launched his campaigning website and WeChat account yesterday. The website (www.chuisaion.org.mo) is available in Chinese, Portuguese and English. It contains information regarding Chui, such as his resume, political declaration and platform, and information on campaigning activities. There is also a link that allows the public to submit their opinions and comments to the candidate. His campaign office said that the public can receive the latest information on Chui’s campaign from the website. They can also add Chui’s WeChat account to their WeChat contact list to receive campaign messages.

universal suffrage up to beijing

Electoral College member Jorge Fão called on Chui Sai On to elaborate on his policies for the development of democracy in Macau. Also a member of the Pensioners’ Association (APOMAC) board, Jorge Fão recalled recent events organized by pro-democratic groups in Hong Kong and Macau, promoting universal suffrage. According to Fão, these events might threaten harmony in society. Chui stressed that there’s still “a lot of work to do” on the road to democratic development, but recalled that it is crucial to comply with Macau Basic Law. The candidate affirmed he is willing to hear society’s opinions: “The decision to achieve [universal suffrage] depends on the central government, but I am willing to share opinions with the central government.”