ExCo | Administrative revamp: Legal Affairs Bureau and IAS given more tasks and workers

The Executive Council (ExCo) has concluded a review of the administrative regulations that will change the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ)’s operations. DSAJ will be responsible for the tasks that are now undertaken by the Law Reform and International Law Bureau (DSRJDI), which will cease to exist.
In a press conference held yesterday at government headquarters, ExCo spokesperson Leong Heng Teng clarified that the previously announced restructuring is intended to “better rearrange the functions within the framework of the Public Service and to improve the management system of legal policy of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).”
The merging of DSAJ and DSRJDI means new capabilities for the Law Reform Consultative Committee (CCRJ). From January 1, 2016, the CCRJ will be able to “issue opinions and make proposals on matters relating to the centralization of legislative coordination.” It will also be able “to study and monitor the definition and implementation of the legislative plan, as well as make proposals for its improvement.”
Another of the restructuring projects presented yesterday by the ExCo involved the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS). The ExCo said that, “due to a growing demand from the population for its services,” IAS will add new services and specific projects to its list of competencies and responsibilities. The restructuring would also change the bureau’s jurisdiction to include competencies regarding social reintegration, which were until now under the purview of DSAJ.
Part of the reorganization of the IAS relates to its departments, with the major change being to the old Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence. That department is now responsible for “gambling addiction”, and changes its name to the Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug and Gambling Dependencies. This change triggers the creation of a new division named the Division for Prevention and Treatment of Gambling Addiction.
The reorganization of several bureaus also includes the already announced merger of the institute that manages the juvenile detention center with the Macau Prison (EPM) under a single new bureau named the Correctional Services Bureau (DSC). This new bureau will have administrative autonomy, and is created to “ensure the organization and management of the prison service, and the enforcement of educational measures among young internees.”
The new DSC will now employ a staff of 756 people, of which 617 are to be prison guards.
In accordance with other restructuring, this new organization takes effect on January 1, 2016.