New Macau marches against ‘small circle’ election on Sunday

Ng Kuok Cheong (left) and Scott Chiang (right)

The New Macau Association (ANM) has announced that it will organize a demonstration on August 31 at the Ruins of St. Paul, coinciding with the Chief Executive election.
The assembly will start at around 11 a.m., with the theme “kick away the small circle [election] as soon as possible”.
ANM vice-president Scott Chiang said that the demonstration is a part of ongoing action calling for the universal suffrage of the CE.
Mr Chiang has listed several “sins” that he claims follow from a small circle election, such as crony capitalism and a lack of accountability from senior officials.
He also reiterated that the Basic Law did not rule out universal suffrage in Macau.
“We think that now is the best time to launch constitutional reform. The government has massive revenue. Economic performance is very good, theoretically speaking. The position of the ruling elite is also very safe. If we do not launch the reform now, when should we do it? Should we wait for a turbulent time and a broken economy to launch reform? I don’t think so,” he said.
Scott Chiang added that they have already submitted a notice to the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau, which did not raise any specific problems with the demonstration.
Moreover, ANM member and lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong has urged CE candidate Chui Sai On not to shift responsibility for initiating constitutional reform to the central government.
“I believe that the central government definitely has the ability to control [the reform]. But in terms of who should initiate the reform, [Chui Sai On] cannot shirk his responsibility,” the lawmaker said.
He suggested that 2015 would be a suitable time to launch a constitutional reform that could lead to a universal suffrage of the CE as soon as 2019.
Speaking about crony capitalism, Ng Kuok Cheong agreed that Chui Sai On’s determination to abolish the setback regulation might be an example of how the candidate of a small circle election could allegedly benefit the business sector in order to secure their votes.
He said that the only “good thing” is that Chui Sai On has spoken out about the decision instead of carrying it out behind closed doors.
“It is very clear that this is a demand or pressure from the small circle. [Chui] also stated clearly that he has accepted [the abolishment] and agreed with it,” Mr Ng said.
The setback regulation stipulates that buildings must be constructed in a way that will ensure adequate light and air for the streets around the structure after the construction is finished.
Chui Sai On announced that he would work on abolishing the setback regulation once he returns to office after the election.
The repeal was applauded by developers, who claim that it will allow them to construct higher and larger buildings to increase housing supply. However, others have warned that the abolishment will lead to the worsening of living conditions in the future.

João Pedro Lau