Debate with lawmakers | Chui: Population to reach 710,000 in 2020

Last Friday, the Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On took part in the Legislative Assembly plenary meeting to answer questions from 29 lawmakers.

Regarding Chan Meng Kam’s inquiry about the region’s population and aging issues, Chui said the city’s population is estimated to reach 710,000 by 2020, and 750,000 by 2025. Chui noted that these estimates do not necessarily mean that Macau will have that number of people by that time, but pointed out the importance of keeping Macau’s public facilities updated.

Chui remarked that “cultivating people’s competencies” will be the most important aspect in developing the city’s human resources. 

Si Ka Lon and Zheng Anting stressed that the government should establish communication with the troubled pre-sales Pearl Horizon buyers.

Chui responded that the government is deeply concerned about the Pearl Horizon matters, and that five governmental departments have been studying ways to solve the issue.

Lawmaker Lei Cheng I raised the recent cases of around 61 families who were denied their rights to own affordable housing. Other lawmakers also inquired about when the government will reopen the application system for affordable housing.

Chui said he noticed that some candidates who had already received approval for affordable housing have since encountered problems, but said he is confident of reopening the application system within his term.

In his reply to lawmaker Angela Leong, who asked about the future of the lands where the Macau-Canidrome is located, Chui said that the land “surely will not be used for commercial purposes.”

He stated that the government is not overlooking the issue. In view of the population density around the Macau-Canidrome, the government has considered using the land to build schools or facilities for sports, leisure, or cultural events.

“The land will not be used for hotels, residences, or anything gaming related, for sure,” Chui promised.

Lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang asked whether the government will establish a mechanism to handle corruption cases reported by the Commission Against Corruption.

Chui said that he has already signed a notice revoking the policy that allows contract employment to waive opening applications. The CE also stated that he will not use his rights to waive education and work experience requirements for the leaders of  public departments.

In response to other lawmakers’ inquiries, Chui said that the government has reclaimed 63 illegally occupied land plots, which had a total area of 336,000 square meters. He also noted that the government had previously nullified 38 land concessions in cases where leaseholders failed to develop the land according to the timetable and terms previously stated. 

The CE said the government’s full report on the demand for public housing would be released in September. The report – covering topics such as the possibility of a new category of public housing, which could also include dormitories for Macau’s youth – will serve as a reference point for the government when formulating long-
term public housing policy.

Mak Soi Kun asked Chui questions on the Sin Fong Garden, which was evacuated due to risk of collapse. The case involves around 200 families. Mak said that these homeowners had requested that he get Chui to solve the problem.

Chui also said that the government will use reclaimed land to build public houses in Taipa’s Avenida Wai Long area.   

While leaving the AL last Friday, Chui did not respond to media when asked whether the government has statistics to support their decision to build the houses in the area. 

Zone A reclamation almost concluded

During Friday’s session, Chui shared an update on the reclamation process of the five plots in the new urban reclamation areas. According to him, eighty percent of the reclamation work in Zone A has been completed, with the balance likely to be completed by year-end. The delay to Zone A, located next to the reservoir on the Macau peninsula, was partly related to the development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The government is stepping up the planning processes regarding Zone A, which will include a total of 28,000 public housing units. Reclamation work in Zone B – located on the Macau Peninsula – has been completed; planning for Zone C, connected to Taipa Island, will be completed this year. The government will initiate a tender process in the second quarter of the year for reclamation construction in Zone D, which is also linked to Taipa. Reclamation work in Zone E, which is also connected to Taipa Island, will be completed this year.

Two groups protest Chui’s AL appearance

Around 60 members of the Family Reunion Association and around 50 members of former Pearl Horizon buyers showed up in front of the Legislative Assembly (AL) to protest prior to Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On’s arrival.

The Pearl Horizon demonstration was, as usual, led by a speaker announcing that the pre-sales buyers are willing to have their “heads cut and their blood flowing”, and that they will defend their rights as buyers of the Pearl Horizon project.

Kou Meng Pok, chairman of the Pearl Horizon Condominium Owners United Association, who recently announced he would be running for lawmaker, was also seen at the scene.

The Pearl Horizon demonstration saw protestors seated in front of the AL, playing records and holding signs.

The second group, the Macau Family Reunion Association, seemed to have prepared more material for their demonstration.

Half an hour prior to Chui’s arrival, the association delivered a letter to the CE, which was accepted by a government representative. Allen Wong, director of the Rector’s Office of City U, represented of the group when submitting the letter.

Wong told the media that matters concerning the association’s members involve “a great number of corruption cases.”

Wong also asked why children of immigrants to other countries are automatically entitled to residency together with their parents, but the same does not happen in China.

Lei Iok Lan, president of the Macau Federation Family Reunion›s (MFFR), said that “one by one, all [of the lawmakers] came out to speak for the Pearl Horizon, but nobody helps us.”

“Chief Executive, when I kneeled to beg you, you said that you would deliver my appeal to the Central Government. All the people in the street heard it,” said Lei.

“What happens now?” he added, observing that in “three years, did he [CE] do anything? I think he did nothing.”

“He [the CE] has been playing us all the way. None of the lawmakers help us […] Everyone steps out to help Pearl Horizon. Whether there are benefits, I don’t know,” he continued.

“Is it interest? You all got to question it according to your heart.”