Lawmaker criticizes gov’t for lack of public consultations for major projects

Lawmaker Ron Lam has criticized the former government for not prioritizing the need to hear the population before deciding on significant projects that influence people’s lives.

In a written inquiry to the authorities, Lam recalled several significant projects for which the government, led by former Chief Executive (CE) Ho Iat Seng, did not use the public consultation mechanism to hear the voices of society before making a decision.

The lawmaker noted that while many topics deserved such attention, others did not, and it was unclear what justified such a difference.

Lam questioned Sam Hou Fai’s current government on their approach and asked if the lack of public consultations will continue as a new trend.

The same lawmaker also recalled that, in some cases, the former government did hear the voices via a Public Consultation but then decided contrary to those voices, like in the case of not building a parking lot facility in the new Central Library at Tap Seac, where the explanation and justification for abandoning the idea of having a parking facility only came very late in the process.

Another critical public project in which Lam accused the government of Ho of going against the population is the linking of Zones A and B of the new landfills. It was initially decided to be in a tunnel but later changed to a flyover against the will of many, creating a series of problems and impacts that were not foreseen.

In the response issued by the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, Ng Wai Han noted that the new government is “to adopt an open attitude and pragmatically explore different ideas and options to respond to the views of the industry and residents practically,” adding, specifically in what concerns the flyover project, that the government will pragmatically explore different ideas and options to respond to the expectations of the community and ensuring that the project is in the best public interest.”

The flyover between Zones A and B has been one of the major topics continuously brought up by the “Association of Synergy of Macau,” the group that supported Lam’s candidacy for the Legislative Assembly and has been led since then by veteran journalist Johnson Ian.

Many see the group as the most valid alternative to the pro-establishment groups that elect most lawmakers. These groups are often accused of not protecting the population’s interests and consistently voting in favor of all government proposals without questioning them, serving as rubber stamps for the government.