Public consultation sectorial sessions show full support

Beginning last Friday and extending over the weekend, a series of sectorial sessions about proposed amendments to the Law on Safeguarding National Security were hosted by the government. The sessions heard only a few opinions and found all in favor of the amendments.

Last Friday’s session was dedicated to listening to the opinions and suggestions from local delegates of the National People’s Congress, members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Macau, and representatives of the political and legal sector.

Among the almost 200 participants who attended the event, only 11 participants expressed their views, and all agreed with and supported the amendment to the law.

The participants’ unanimous opinion was that now is the right time to amend the law as both internal and external security circumstances are changing and risks are increasing.  Participants expressed their full support and belief that the amendment will effectively enhance national security, maintain public order, and facilitate Macau’s fulfillment of its constitutional duties.

At the session that took place at the China–Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex, the Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, also said the amendment has a significant role and importance this year regarding the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government’s policy, adding that the amendment “is closely related to the long-term stability of the nation, and the sustainable prosperity and stability of Macau.”

During his closing remarks, Ho proposed four aspirations for all sectors regarding the amendment. These include, firstly, understanding of the significance of the amendment; secondly, being aware of challenges related to amending the law; thirdly, building on the function of leadership; and finally, fighting against all disturbances and interferences.

Elaborating on the four aspirations, the CE explained that “as national security and Macau’s safety are facing new challenges and changes, Macau must be proactive in tackling all kinds of risks.”

Without identifying the risks or explaining the changes that justify the amendment, the government leader added, “Macau must have a strong and more practical law on safeguarding national security, to support and coordinate safeguarding national security affairs according to the law, to prevent and suppress interference by external forces, and to more effectively safeguard national sovereignty, safety and development interests.”

As for the second aspiration, the CE said the amendment not only responds to the developing national security situation, but is also forward-looking given developing trends and the need to target actual national security issues. He added also that Macau must uphold its bottom-line thinking and conduct comprehensive risk assessments and accurate judgments regarding this amendment.

The CE also remarked, “Safeguarding national security is not only the constitutional responsibility of the SAR but also the statutory responsibility of all people of China, including the people of Macau. Therefore, Macau also needs to harness the concern, the active participation, and the facilitation of people in all sectors and all walks of life, in the hope that all participants can fully make use of their roles in society.” Ho added that such responsibilities are particularly important to all those in leadership roles within institutions, social groups and or other organizations.

The CE called on all social leaders to “take part in rational discussions […] to explain matters correctly and to publicize information in a way that is understandable and acceptable to the public,” saying that if this is done, it would “facilitate critical deliberations, correct interpretations, and finally achieve social consensus.”

Last but not least, the CE anticipated that, during the public consultation period, “people with ulterior motives would make a big fuss regarding the SAR government’s amendment proposal, or even agitate to impede or undermine progress of the amendment through radical actions.” He called on all people to “reject all hostile attacks and untrue information about the amendment, and to have a clear-cut stance on guiding the process and eliminating all potential interference in the amendment to the law.”

The CE was responding to opinions from those who participated in the session and who, rather than addressing the proposal, preferred to voice concerns about potential smear campaigns being prepared by some sections of society to influence the public in general.

To such remarks, the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, said the new law aims to improve national security while safeguarding human rights, while listening to all opinions on the amendments proposed.

One of the most active voices in further extending the scope of the law was the Prosecutor coordinator of the Public Prosecutions Office, Lai U Hou, who called for stricter rules regarding evidence collection by the authorities, stating that public prosecutors may encounter many difficulties in collecting evidence “as suspects may hand the evidence to their lawyers or the media,” Lai said.

In response, Wong said, “We must not discriminate or question the rights of suspects and lawyers.”

More unanimity from the economics and finance sector

As with the first session on the previous day (dedicated to the political and legal sector), few opinions were voiced during Saturday’s session (dedicated to the representatives of the economics and finance sector) and all were unanimously in favor of the proposal.

Of the around 200 participants, including representatives from the professional association of the sector, only 10 expressed opinions or comments.

These participants said the revision of the law will contribute to the stability and the orderly functioning of society, which are prerequisites for the economic development of all industrial and commercial activities.

Among comments in favor of the amendment proposal were those noting the introduction of criminal penalties for acts against the security of the State with the use of non-violent illicit means.

Many participants who expressed opinions were satisfied that the amendment could prevent other risks in the fields of economics and cybersecurity.

Yesterday, a third session took place, dedicated to the social and cultural sector. This will be followed by two more sessions dedicated to the transport and public works sector (September 9) and administration and justice sector (September 14).

In the meantime, another three public sessions will take place on September 3, 6, and 16. These will be open to participation from the general public. The first session will be held at 3 p.m., while the other two will take place at 7:30 p.m.

To participate in these sessions, the members of the public must register through the webpage (https://eservices.pj.gov.mo/RLDSE/pt/zxhbm.html), or by phone at 8800 6323.