Kou Hoi In marks 2024 as the busiest legislative year

The president of the Legislative Assembly (AL), Kou Hoi In, stated that 2024 is the legislative year with the busiest agenda. Kou made these remarks in a speech at yesterday’s AL Spring Lunch.

“2024 is the year when the AL has had its most overloaded agenda. Nevertheless, all the lawmakers, with an active and pragmatic attitude in performing their duties, have fulfilled their responsibilities according to the law, with a strong sense of mission and responsibility,” the president said.

“They have worked collaboratively with the government, fostering positive interaction and frank cooperation. As a result, the efficiency and effectiveness of this Chamber have improved, ensuring that all work is carried out in a solid, orderly, and stable manner,” he added.

Reviewing the most notable laws approved by the AL over the past year, Kou highlighted legislation related to national security, including the Legal Regime for the Control of Weapons and Related Items, which he described as providing a solid legal foundation for strengthening national security defense, preventing and resolving risks, and ensuring the stable implementation of the ‘One country, two systems’ principle in Macau.

Kou also highlighted 2024 as the year of effective implementation of the principle of “Macau governed by patriots,” which saw further progress in amending regulations related to the elections for the Chief Executive (CE) post and the AL.

This work also expanded to include the law regarding Oaths of Office.

“The approval of these three legislative initiatives was crucial to ensure, on one hand, that the election of the sixth CE was successfully concluded under the terms of the law in 2024 and, on the other hand, to establish a disciplinary framework for the upcoming elections of the eighth AL to be held this year,” Kou said.

Looking ahead, the president stated that this year marks the end of the current legislative term, which concludes in August, and the beginning of the new CE and government term. He noted that these factors imply that “the upcoming work will be even more intense.”

Kou noted that the plenary has already approved nine bills and one draft resolution in the first reading, which the three Standing Committees are currently debating.

As is known, bills cannot transition from one legislative term to another, meaning these works must be completed before the end of the current term; otherwise, the bills must be dropped and resubmitted at a later stage.

Kou also anticipated significant work regarding the new government’s presentation of its first Policy Address. The address will include seven sessions at the AL and the first two at the CE, followed by extended (eigh-hour) sessions with each of the five sectorial secretaries.