Policy Address | Ng abandons plenary room protesting stall on universal suffrage

Following the presentation on Tuesday of the government policy address for 2017 by the Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On at the Legislative Assembly (AL), yesterday the CE was once more at the plenary to answer questions posed by lawmakers.

The session was marred by the walk-out of lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong in protest following the reply of the CE to his question regarding the development of the political system of Macau and the proposal of universal suffrage voting for the CE in 2019.

In his reply to the question, the CE remarked that according to the law such a decision “is depending on a decision of the Central government [of the People’s Republic of China],” stating “we should maintain this system unaltered and follow the Basic Law and the decisions of the Central government [on the topic].”

Chui took the opportunity to remark, “We are in an adjustment phase. Our first priority is to maintain life quality and social stability,” adding that regarding the development of the political system “we are going to follow gradually the four measures for the development of the political system.”

In protest, lawmaker Ng stood from his chair and placed on his stand a poster with the message [protest against the stalling of political reform] (in Chinese) leaving the plenary room immediately after.

The incident caused some perplexity in the room with the president of the AL trying to conduct the meeting normally.

Other topics of discussion were mainly regarding public and private housing as well as education and training of the so-called “local talents” for the new challenges set during the recent visit of the Premier Li Keqiang.

On housing, lawmaker Si Ka Lon started by questioning the CE regarding the lack of a permanent mechanism in the application process for public housing as well as delays in the construction of new projects in addition to the poor quality of those already built and currently in use.

Legislator Lon also remarked that in the private market there are also problems, giving the example of the Pearl Horizon where in his opinion “the rights of the residents are not being protected.”

Chui admitted that “public housing policies are a matter of general concern,” adding that “the government has been undertaking all  efforts to solve that problem.”

In order to finally tackle the issue, the CE remarked on the need for a “study regarding the demand,” highlighting that the government has been able to take back some lands where “more public housing [could be built].”

Addressing specifically the Pearl Horizon development situation the CE remarked that “there isn’t yet a final decision from the courts [on the case] and so the MSAR must wait and continue to follow the laws,” reaffirming “we are obviously concerned and we have been having several meetings and gathering with legal advisers on the matter.”

Chui remarked that the problem is a serious one since “when a [land] concession expires not even the CE has the right to renew it.” He concluded by saying, “before a court ruling the government doesn’t have any conditions to negotiate with anyone but this doesn’t mean we are not concerned with those buyers.”

On the same topic, lawmakers Ella Lei, Ho Ion Sang and Au Kam San also asked several questions with Au criticizing the quality of the developments already in use, stating several conception and quality problems, giving the example of the “Edifício do Lago” in Taipa.

In his reply, the CE added that that government would continue to work in this field in order to create good housing conditions, promising to address the problems mentioned by the lawmaker through “planning and conception.” Specifically, working on the materials and conditions as well as increasing inspections to improve on quality and construction deadlines.

The CE also affirmed “if there will be problems in which the contractor is accountable, he will be liable.”

Regarding education and training Mak Soi Kun questioned the plans for the training of “bilingual talents” as well as expressing concern over the insufficiency of translators, accountants and finance sector staff.

Kun also commented on how the government needs to “unify” the knowledge and information regarding the subject of history taught in the schools of the territory.

The CE’s reply noted that the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) has already reached a consensus with mainland authorities for “the production of uniformed materials for the subject of history,” stating that the government is creating conditions for the implementation of this solution.

On the bilingual workforce the CE said “it is needed to create conditions for the people to submit to these training sessions,” adding “Macau gathers all the conditions for it [training bilingual staff].” He noted that the process might take from three to five years at the base level and a little more on the leadership levels.

On the same topic, questions arose from other lawmakers like Kwan Tsui Hang, Dominic Sio and the vice president of the AL, Lam Heong Sang, but they all received a similar reply from the CE.

The debate over the Policy address for 2017 will continue from Tuesday next week (November 22) at the sectorial level with the presence of the Secretaries.

The first to go before the AL to explain in more detail the measures of its secretariat will be the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sonia Chan.

Pearl Horizon buyers protest at AL door

A demonstration from a group of buyers from the development “Pearl Horizon” continued for the second consecutive day at the doorsteps of the Legislative Assembly (AL). The noisy group continued to voice their complaints in pursuit of their goal- to gain the attention of both lawmakers and the CE. Although the group apparently remained peacefully in the side area fenced by the police, there were moments of security reinforcement by the police. At various points during the afternoon and evening, officers practically surrounded all the area occupied by the protestors with a number of police officers that was roughly equal to the number of protestors present.