POLITICS | Macau Concealers launches vote to elect top 10 public figures of 2014

The satirical publication included a one-year-old toddler who was denied entry to Macau in the voting list

As Macau citizens have witnessed plenty of newsworthy events throughout 2014, the local publication Macau Concealers is compiling a list of the top ten of the city’s most prominent public figures making the headlines last year. Ranging from a one-year-old toddler who was barred from entering Macau to bankrupted bus operator Reolian, political leaders, or even taxi drivers, the list draws on a wide range of personalities.
The satirical publication launched its poll to elect the ten most prominent figures of last year out of 36 people chosen in the past few weeks. These include well- known political figures, such as chief executive Chui Sai On, lawmakers Chan Meng Kam and Chan Chak Mo, former Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, and former president of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Raymond Tam.
But those who have unexpectedly made the headlines last year are also on Macau Concealers’ list, namely a one-year-old toddler who was denied entry to Macau.
Last month, amid tightened security over Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit, a one-year-old baby from the neighboring SAR was denied entry to Macau.  He apparently shared the same name of a Hong Kong lawmaker, who had been blacklisted by Macau authorities. Chief Executive Chui Sai On would later apologize for the mistake.
Political activist Jason Chao said that Macau Concealers decided to launch such a ballot for the first time “because 2014 was full of newsworthy events,” such as the unofficial referendum on universal suffrage organized by three pro-democracy groups, and major demonstrations against a bill granting top officials lavish compensation and pension packages in May, among others.
“This is an opportunity to have a review of the past year, particularly regarding news events,” he said.
Meanwhile, this initiative by the Macau Concealers has been compared with a similar voting procedure launched by Macau Daily News, which aims at finding the five most important news events of last year. The Chinese language newspaper has made available a list of 10 events, which took place last year from which citizens can vote.
“We wanted to have a more open voting process,” said Jason Chao, adding that Macau Concealers’ list provides a total of 36 people/events in which citizens may vote.
Macau Daily News list includes – but is not limited to – Xi Jinping’s visit, Chui Sai On’s re-election, the 24-hour border crossing, the compensation bill and subsequent protests, the gaming revenue drop, and the opening of the University of Macau’s Hengqin campus.
The Macau Concealers’ list of “nominees”, available through their website (https://top10.macau2014.org), includes pro-democracy lawmakers Au Kam San and Ng Kuok Cheong, as well as political activist Jason Chao, who was arrested last August while holding an unofficial referendum on universal suffrage and current president of New Macau Association Sulu Sou.
The city’s famous giant panda Sum Sum, who died last year, is also a nominee.
As citizens’ complaints over the city’s transportation system increased over the past year, taxi drivers, former bus operator Reolian, yellow taxi company Vang Iek, which is no longer operating, have also been chosen for the Macau Concealers list.