Policy Address | Security New facilities and law amendments needed to tackle safety risks

Wong Sio Chak (center)

The Legislative Assembly (AL) concluded its plenary meeting discussions on the government’s policy objectives for 2015 in the area of security last Friday. Taking into account the growth in new urban spaces and communities in the city’s recent and current constructions, lawmakers focused on the growing demand for public security and fire services facilities.
Meanwhile, the need to amend outdated laws and to strengthen cooperation with communities were also highlighted in the debate, as well as further crackdowns on crime.  The prevention of more traffic accidents and irregularities was also addressed.
Responding to the concerns and suggestions presented at the plenary meeting, the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, promised lawmakers that there would be enough deployments to cope with rising security demands while new facilities are due to commence construction. The official also acknowledged that comprehensive studies are needed when exploring legal examinations of grey areas, and thus pledged to “seek to improve the legal system and formulate better guidelines for law enforcement.”
“As long as there are laws lagging behind, there will be helplessness in law enforcement. It’s not that our laws are that bad, but legal lag will always be a fact [of reality]. The law enforcement departments need to face that. As long as we conduct law enforcement attentively, and enhance our law enforcement abilities, we’ve fulfilled our purpose,” he stated.
Regarding the attitudes among legal practitioners that “[despite] seeing no effect, enforcement must continue,” lawmaker Song Pek Kei indicated that “it is not a long-term [solution], and thus [we] must push for legislation and law amendment.” The secretary noted the constraints of combating fake marriages, the solicitation of prostitution, and the dissemination of pornographic leaflets. He suggested that listing these illegalities as crimes in the Penal Code should be the focus of further discussion.
Regarding the recent spate of fatal traffic accidents, several lawmakers called for measures to monitor heavy vehicles such as trucks and casino shuttle buses on the road more closely. Some lawmakers also urged for tighter controls on tourists’ jaywalking and dangerous driving habits, while some suggested stricter penalties to deter driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In response, Wong Sio Chak said that the Traffic Law will be amended, and the Judiciary Police is studying penalties with the Transport Bureau (DSAT). Moreover, he said accident prevention is primarily promoted via public outreach and education. “Over twenty four hours and all 365 days, we are publicizing and educating the public to raise awareness of driving safety,” he stressed.
According to the director of the Public Security Police (PSP), Leong Man Cheong, last year recorded over 8,400 cases of heavy vehicle traffic violations, especially of overweight and overloaded vehicles. In addition, traffic accidents caused by drunk-driving increased by 15 percent year-on-year in the first two months of 2015. “When we heard of the fatal traffic accidents, we also hoped to formulate measures to deal with this.  We will do everything possible to jointly straighten out Macau’s traffic [problems] with the DSAT,” vowed the director.
Plans to add facilities and manpower to meet security demands in new urban spaces were another focus of the lawmakers’ inquiries. Concerned over the new premises and infrastructure under construction in Cotai, lawmaker Lau Veng Seng recognized that the concept of “preventing crimes from the design of environment” should be extended in order to avoid security incidents such as fire hazards.
Lawmaker Chui Sai Cheong indicated that “over the past decade, Cotai has developed significantly; the number of residents continued to grow, [as have] the number of hotel rooms, which has already exceeded that in Macau [peninsula]. However, no more fire stations have been built there.”
The director of the Fire Services Bureau, Ma Io Weng, acknowledged that the three fire stations in Taipai, Coloane and Hengqin are “able to cope with the rescue work in a short term by assisting each other; but in order to meet demands in the long-term, a large station is still needed.”
Ma said the bureau had suggested building a large fire station back in 2002 when the Cotai Strip was first taking shape.  Last year, the plan’s pre-approved site had to be relocated due to natural gas. In addition, Leong Man Cheong revealed the PSP’s plan to establish a police sub-station at the Sai Pai Van public housing area.  As for popular spots for illegal racing, the authorities intend to install speed humps and a radar speed-detection system to monitor traffic around the clock.

Plan to build internet safety center shelved

Wong Sio Chak said Macau is currently in the process of creating a system which can protect it from Internet network intrusions.  However, the authorities’ plan to establish an Internet safety center within the police force has been set aside due to a lack of resources. Wong said the center needs to take charge of maintenance and risk evaluation of the city’s Internet security; however, it is “not easy to build, as it needs talent, equipment, and the institutional system.”

Police forces urged to upgrade personnel system

Several lawmakers have drawn attention to the police forces’ personnel system, including differences in salaries and educational backgrounds as well as leaders’ self-discipline, and frontline officers’ attitude towards citizens.
Lawmakers Song Pek Kei and Angela Leong noted the salary differences for different types of police officers, urging for a fairer system to help retain manpower.
Song also indicated that many police officers join the forces with a primary or secondary school degree, but hope for further training. In addition, lawmaker Leonel Alves suggested that the police force needs to admit people with higher qualifications, especially those with legal knowledge.
On the other hand, lawmaker Fong Chi Keong questioned whether the new Secretary for Security would call for the police force itself to discipline violators amongst the 9,000 officers. Moreover, lawmaker Chan Chak Mo indicated that the work ethic of  frontline officers still requires improvement.
In response, Wong Sio Chak stressed the police forces’ commitment to abiding by their ethical codes and added that the team will be managed with a police-oriented approach. He also acknowledged that most of the unpleasant cases between police and citizens were caused by police officers’ lack of self-awareness or responsive skills. “The so-called skill is in fact very simple: most importantly, [being aware] of serving the people,” he stressed.