‘Macau’s population has had enough of these secretaries,’ says Coutinho

Pereira Coutinho and Chui Sai On at their joint meeting yesterday

The president of the Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM) and lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho argues that the local population is tired of the current government secretaries’ team. In a meeting between ATFPM representatives and the Chief Executive, Pereira Coutinho also suggested that services under some secretaries’ offices should be transferred.
“At this moment, Macau’s population has had enough of these secretaries. [The city] has more complex problems, and old issues remain to be solved. The Chief Executive needs to “roll up his sleeves and work,” the lawmaker told reporters yesterday.
José Pereira Coutinho believes that changes should be made to which services come under some of the current secretaries’ jurisdictions.
For instance, he has suggested that tourism services should be the responsibility of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, rather than the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. “Everywhere in the world, tourism is an area of business. There is no reason for the tourism services to remain or be dependent on the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture,” he said.
However, when it comes to administration and justice, José Pereira Coutinho disagreed with a scholar from the Macau Polytechnic Institute who recently suggested a separation of the two areas. Instead, the ATFPM leader said that administration and justice could come under the responsibility of the Secretary for Security’s office.
“I believe the areas of security and justice should be part of the same office, because they relate to similar issues. This will make things easier: administration, justice and security,” he stated.
The transfer of some services from one office to another “would be good,” he stressed, as, for instance, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture has to deal with a wide range of issues.
“The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture has to deal with many areas, such as education, health, social security… Some public services deserve better attention from one secretary alone,” he said.
Although recognizing that Chui Sai On has had “a different attitude” toward the association’s suggestions, Coutinho recalled that “we are yet to see who will be the next secretaries, and if they will be willing to hear our suggestions more often.”
Furthermore, he stressed that Chui Sai On has already “realized that everywhere in the world political responsibility lies with the leader.” “So, if the secretaries are not able to meet demands, people will be transferring responsibility to the leader,” he added.
A reform of the public administration sector is another priority highlighted by ATFPM representatives. “We need retirement pensions; we need houses. What attracts civil servants is a house and a retirement pension. Otherwise, we will only have mercenaries working in the public service,” said Coutinho.
He stressed that, currently, “Macau’s public services cannot compete with the six [gaming] concessionaires,” since they pay higher salaries. “A floor manager earns more than a public services director, so we need to address this problem. If we want to attract competent civil servants, we need to pay them well and provide good working conditions,” the lawmaker added.
ATFPM general assembly president, Ms Rita Santos, stressed that throughout the meeting with the Chief Executive, they have also highlighted the public housing issue, urging the government to build an additional 80,000 social and affordable housing units.
Moreover, they suggested that the government accelerate land reclamation works, so that more housing units could be available in the near future.
Seeking the development of democracy, ATFPM representatives proposed changes to legislation regarding the election of Legislative Assembly lawmakers, and also the election of the Chief Executive. They suggested an increase in the number of lawmakers elected by Macau’s people, and the implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election.
In the social security field, the association’s representatives chose to ask for a rise in cash handouts, subsidies for the elderly, and disability pensions, among other things.
To truly diversify the economy, they also suggested that the government “rent Hengqin Island” so that further business opportunities may be awarded to small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Rita Santos also said that there is a need to build more hospitals, as the existing public hospital does not meet current demand.
In terms of transport, they have suggested a controlled increase of vehicles. The number of black taxis should be increased, while yellow taxis should be liberalized, they said.
Several Macau associations are meeting with Chui Sai On ahead of the upcoming Chief Executive election, which is to be held on August 31.