Improvement of traffic flow tops citizens’ concern

Lao Pun Lap

Improvement of traffic flow issues is among Macau citizens’ top concerns, a report released by the government’s Policy Research Office shows. The report, which is based on 111,246 opinions and suggestions that reached Chui Sai On’s campaign office in August, reveals that traffic, housing and healthcare are the Macau population’s greatest concerns.
The highest number of opinions related to traffic flow problems, as local residents are concerned about the growing number of vehicles on Macau’s roads, difficulties in getting a cab, as well as how public transportation is managed.
In a press conference held yesterday, the coordinator of the Policy Research Office, Lao Pun Lap, revealed that 87,425 opinions or suggestions given by citizens regarded traffic matters.
He did not disclose how many of these are related to taxi services, but hinted that it’s a high percentage. “Many of these opinions regarded taxi services, but I do not have an exact figure at the moment. But the proportion of opinions on this matter is quite high,” he stated.
The coordinator acknowledged that the taxi services have not been responding to citizens and tourists’ needs. Gathered opinions show that Macau residents face hurdles not only in trying to get a taxi but they also complained of being refused by certain drivers and of overcharging. They urged the government to increase the number of taxis and address offenses related to these services.
Mr Lap stressed that citizens suggested for the government to truly implement a policy giving priority to public transportation. They also think that the authorities should limit the number of vehicles on Macau’s roads, increase the number of parking lots, speed up the LRT construction works, and improve the overall traffic flow.
As expected, housing is a top concern too, with 75,068 collected opinions on this matter. Lao Pun Lap acknowledged that housing isn’t an issue that just affects those with lower incomes, but indeed a problem affecting the whole of society. “Even the middle class feels that it is difficult to acquire a house. So there should be a fund to support people in acquiring a first house, or bank credit without the need to pay interest,” he revealed.
Locals are expecting the government to perfect long-term housing policies, demanding an increase on the number of housing units on the market.
A high number of opinions also addressed the need to have more land where additional housing could be built. Macau’s population provided concrete suggestions on housing policies, namely the revitalization of industrial buildings, recovering unused land, and requesting more land from the Central Government.
Citizens are also demanding higher quality healthcare, as a total of 48,456 opinions show. They urge the government to work towards providing an efficient medical care mechanism. Further investment in resources, optimization of healthcare services and improvement of the patient-physician relationship were some of the suggestions provided.
Respondents have also demanded that the government accelerates construction works for the new public hospital in Coloane.
Diversifying Macau’s economy is a priority too, with 44,488 opinions gathered on the matter. Citizens are hoping the government will be able to create conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises to prosper. They are hopeful that the government will maintain its cash handout policy, too.
The establishment of an efficient social security system is another concern addressed in 43,480 opinions collected by Chui Sai On’s campaign office. They’re demanding a social security mechanism that can be run permanently.
Many have also voiced their concerns about the safeguarding of local residents’ employment opportunities. Some have insisted that casino job posts, such as casino dealers, should remain available for residents only.
The development of the political system also worries Macau’s population, with some urging the government to implement universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election. The Policy Research Office’s coordinator did not disclose how many opinions demanding universal suffrage were issued.
Lastly, in a list of 18 main areas of concern compiled by the Policy Research Office, there was also a call for improvements to the reform of public administration.
Chui Sai On’s campaign office collected opinions and suggestions from Macau’s population during his 14-day campaign last August. The incumbent Chief Executive gave a voice to citizens in conferences, meetings, public sessions, visits and meetings with associations. Citizens also submitted their suggestions and opinions via letter, telephone calls, fax, official website, email and WeChat.
The campaign office compiled a total of 111,827 opinions and suggestions but only 111,246 were considered valid.

Diverging opinions on gov’t policies’ efficiency

The Policy Research Office coordinator, Lao Pun Lap, said that with over 100,000 opinions and suggestions collected during Chui Sai On’s campaign, it is clear that Macau’s population is concerned with a wide range of issues. “The work [performed by the government] is still falling short of the population’s expectations, because society is constantly changing,” he said. On the other hand, the Policy Research Office’s main consultant, Mi Jian, said he thinks that government policies did not fail. “In reality, I don’t think there was a failure in government action. On the contrary, the government has paid great attention to stabilizing the economy over this term (…) and the population [demands improvements] in the traffic, housing, and healthcare areas.”