New Macau Association against Taipa crematorium

Chan Lok Kei (left) and Sulu Sou

The New Macau Association (ANM) has proposed the local government explore additional ways of disposing of human body remains, ANM stated in a press conference on Friday.

The proposal comes after the government’s plans to build a crematorium in Taipa were met with opposition from neighboring residents.

Earlier this month, the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) announced a draft plan for building a cemetery facility on a land located in Estr. da Ponta da Cabrita, in Taipa.

ANM member Chan Lok Kei said that a number of relevant residents have filed a complaint to ANM expressing their concern and opposition to the government’s proposal.

According to Chan, those who live in the vicinity of the proposed crematorium location, together with parents of students from the Anglican College, expressed their worries to the association.

Until now, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) has not disclosed any details concerning the crematorium’s construction, or its related facilities.

Chan pointed out that IACM should hold meetings for residents to attend while providing persuasive and firm evidence to testify regarding the government’s plan.

In Chan’s opinion, the government should still testify that cremation is the only option the city has to bury body and skeletal remains. Otherwise, the government should adopt other burial techniques, he said.

Lawmaker Sulu Sou commented that “during its press release, IACM said it had visited places, such as Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore, where it toured their crematorium management facilities, having then thought that Macau could be pollution-free [when building a crematorium].”

“Can cremation be pollution-free and is it the only option for Macau? We need IACM to clarify,” requested Sou.

In 2016, the government planned to build a crematorium in Coloane, but received opposition from Coloane’s residents.

Sou suggests that the local government not simply choose another location to build a crematorium but instead focus on how to fully solve the city’s burial problems.

According to Sou, those living nearby the location have already submitted their opinions to DSSOPT on Friday.

Somewhere between 600 to 700 residents of Edifício do Largo also signed their names on submissions addressing the governmental proposal.

“In recent days, the association received at least 10 complaints from residents of Edifício do Largo and parents of Anglican College students expressing their concerns,” revealed Sou, adding, “ANM believes that Macau needs local facilities to handle human body remains. […] If Macau has the capability and techniques, why [can’t] Macau handle its own issues?”

Sou said that promession (an environmentally friendly way to dispose of human remains by way of freeze drying) could be more beneficial than cremation in the long term.