Gov’t revokes three land concessions

The government has revoked three land concessions that were highlighted in a Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) report in December. Two of the three idle land plots were granted to public bus operator Transmac in 1988 for the construction of bus terminals and maintenance facilities, but have remained undeveloped. Transmac’s deputy general manager, Kwan Weng Kai, told TDM, “We had applied for a street alignment plan from the government as soon as we had the development project. But then we received a response […] saying [the government] could only issue the plan to us after they had completed the urban planning. That’s why we still haven’t received the street alignment plan.” It is not clear what will happen to the 300 or so buses that are regularly parked on the undeveloped land. Transmac has sought advice from the Transport Bureau but has received no reply. The third plot was granted to an investment company backed by the Zhuhai municipal government in 2001.

Former Liaison Office department head falls to his death in Zhuhai

A former department head of the Liaison Office in the MSAR died on Monday in Zhuhai after falling from the top of a building, sources told the Times. The victim was not named but, according to sources, was 65 years old and in the early stages of retirement, having left Macau for Beijing last year after serving in Macau for a decade. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Cuisine Association launches food show

The Macau Cuisine Association (MCA) is expected to hold a live cooking show today at Broadway Macau for its official inauguration, Macao Daily News reported. One hundred local cooks will present 118 dishes from Chinese, Western and Japanese cuisines. The MCA has also invited a chef to demonstrate the making of hand-pulled noodles and durian ice cream. MCA president Ip Sio Man said the association aims to improve the overall quality of the local catering industry, as well as promote Macau’s diverse food culture. Five hundred of the MCA’s members are from the catering industry, half of whom are budding cooks.