Lawmakers say ‘no’ to debating political reform

Au Kam San and Ng Kuok Cheong

Lawmakers vetoed a proposal by pro-democracy legislators to hold a debate on Macau’s political reform and the implementation of universal suffrage.
In yesterday’s Legislative Assembly plenary meeting, Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San tried to persuade fellow lawmakers to discuss the implementation of a democratic political regime in Macau, but they only managed to garner the support of legislator Leong Veng Chai.
Other lawmakers stressed that Macau’s democratic development is in Beijing’s hands, and it should be implemented in a phased manner.
Kou Hoi In recalled that there are several steps Macau would need to take before there’s a calendar to implement universal suffrage. “We all know that Macau’s democratic development cannot be decided by Macau (…) the development of our political regime has to respect the central government’s decision,” he said.
Ho Ion Sang shared a similar opinion, stating that Macau’s political development has to be completed “step by step.” “First, the Chief Executive would have to present a report to the National’s People Congress. Therefore, I do not agree in holding this debate,” he stated.
Although acknowledging that discussion leads people to “know the truth,” lawmaker Mak Soi Kun sad he would not vote in favor of the debate, because the democratization process “cannot only be decided by Macau.”
Kwan Tsui Hang believes that any administrative reform should be conducted when Macau’s society reaches a consensus to avoid “extreme [actions].” The legislator recalled the Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong, with students and Hong Kong residents staging a sit-in that has lasted for over a month. “We need to ponder how our society could move forward with this discussion in a peaceful and harmonious environment,” she stressed.
Lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng agreed. Although he acknowledged that Macau needs to move forward, “there’s a need to reach a consensus on the matter” first.
Chui Sai Cheong said he would be voting against the debate, since Macau already took a big step by allowing the population to “elect the AL.”
Lau Veng Seng, one of the lawmakers appointed by the Chief Executive, recalled president’s Xi Jinping words when he said that “democracy is not only universal suffrage.”
Leong Veng Chai, José Pereira Coutinho’s ‘number two,’ was the only lawmaker – besides Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San – supporting the debate. “I think there’s room for discussion on universal suffrage. An open debate between the government and lawmakers is much better than conveying rumors outside [the AL],” he said.
The debate was vetoed by lawmakers, with 27 voting against and only three in favor. José Pereira Coutinho did not attend yesterday’s plenary meeting.