Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau to merge

The 2026 Policy Address emphasizes the need to improve public administration efficiency and enhance service-oriented thinking among civil servants, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai confirming yesterday the merger of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the Cultural Development Fund (FDC), and the Sports Bureau (ID).

“Public administration efficiency still requires further enhancement, along with a need to strengthen the service-oriented mindset among some civil servants,” Sam stated while announcing his second Policy Address at the Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday afternoon.

The Policy Address outlines a significant restructuring of departmental frameworks. Relevant functions of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) will be transferred to both the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) and the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSCU). The Cartography and Cadastre Bureau (DSCC) will be integrated into the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, designating the latter as the lead department for urban renewal policies.

According to the Policy Address, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) will be restructured through a merger with the Consumer Council (CC) and the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT). The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) will also undergo reorganization, alongside the merger of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the Cultural Development Fund, and the Sports Bureau (ID).

In announcing these decisions, Sam admitted longstanding issues within Macau’s public administration, citing “poor communication, inadequate coordination, and fragmented governance among public entities.”

He stressed the importance of breaking down departmental barriers to foster collaborative development, aiming to create a service-oriented government that is “accountable, transparent, and efficient.”

These proposals seek to enhance the overall effectiveness of governance in the special administrative region (SAR) by fully leveraging leadership and coordination mechanisms in public administration reform. Sam reaffirmed the principle that “Macau’s affairs are handled through collective deliberation and collaborative action.”

The Policy Address proposes reviewing and standardizing job classifications and duties while encouraging government bodies to effectively utilize transfer and job-rotation systems.

It aims to optimize staffing controls, establish benchmarks for personnel levels across departments, and review career progression legislation. Additionally, the plan seeks to simplify career structures, reduce special career streams, and explore a cross-career promotion system for public servants.

During a press conference, the Chief Executive emphasized that the new SAR government will advance reforms next year in line with his campaign agenda, focusing on public administration reforms and economic diversification. “

We note that Macau’s longstanding public-sector framework law has been in effect for over 80 years, with administrative regulations only recently adjusted,” he stated, underscoring the necessity for reform.

‘Gov’t cannot respond to civil servant pay raises outside of existing system,’

The 2026 Policy Address made no proposals for civil-service pay increases. When questioned by reporters, Sam noted that pay adjustments for civil servants have always followed established institutional procedures. He mentioned that since last year, the pay-increase range has been between 3.29% and 3.3%.

“Purely from an inflation perspective, the conditions for a civil-service pay rise were not met, but the previous administration still decided to grant the increase,” he stated. Sam emphasized that adjustments to civil-servant pay require comprehensive consideration, explaining, “In any country or region, civil-servant pay adjustments should be based on the local level of economic development. For instance, Europe faced civil-servant pay cuts during the financial crisis.”

He added that the role of civil-servant income within broader society and the impact of changes in that sector on other industries must also be taken into account.

To address these considerations, the government has established a committee comprising representatives from various sectors, including civil servants and labor groups. “The government cannot respond to civil-servant pay raises outside of the existing system,” he concluded.