Repossessed lands to be back in the market in public tender

The Secretary Raimundo do Rosário has announced that several lands reclaimed by the government will be put out for public tenders next year.

Raimundo’s statements came after questions of several lawmakers, including Si Ka Lon and Chan Melinda Mei Yi, who raised concerns over Macau’s public housing and affordable housing related issues.

Si Ka Lon noted that public housing has always been a concern of the residents, and Chan Melinda Mei Yi expects Raimundo to solve the problems for Pearl Horizon’s former buyers.

Raimundo told the lawmakers that there will be four affordable house projects completed in 2017, providing more than 3,400 housing units to those in need.

Also in 2017, his departments will start planning and designing public housing for lands located at Avenida Wai Long and at Avenida do Almirante Lacerda, which were both retaken by the government.

The secretary also informed that the government will complete research, in 2017, on Macau’s public housing demand.

Regarding Chan’s question, which suggests that the government should go through legal procedures as for Pearl Horizon’s former buyers to receive compensation, Raimundo acknowledged that these buyers are the victims of the problematic real estate project.

Pearl Horizon former buyers worship Bao Gong to solve problems

Approximately 10 Pearl Horizon former buyers went to Bao Gong Temple on Sunday to pray to Bao Gong (a government officer during the reign of Emperor Renzong in China’s Song Dynasty) to solve their problems quickly.

According to a report by Macao Daily News, Kou Meng Pok, president of Pearl Horizon Proprietors Association, said that the former buyers are afraid the problem would cause them to lose the lands even when they are rightfully able to retain them.

Kou said that the Polytec Group indeed received their money in exchange for the properties, and that the government charged taxes. He hopes that the three parties, including the buyers, can discuss the issue face-to-face to find a reasonable solution.

Kou said that some other buyers have suggested a demonstration at Polytec Group’s headquarters on Macau’s handover anniversary.