Secretary Alexis Tam’s turbulent year so far

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam has had a turbulent 2016 so far, finding himself at the center of several controversies and the focus of much public discord.
The secretary’s responsibilities cover a wide range of public-facing bodies and services in the MSAR, including the Health Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Sports Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and many others.
His media presence usually outstrips that of the other executive secretaries – partly because his remit is far more accessible to the public than some of the others, but also because Tam doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. Accordingly, last year Tam rated the highest in Macau CIHC Power public opinion poll of the popularity of the six most senior government officials.
At the 2016 Policy Address in December last year, Tam iterated that his biggest priority of the coming year would be healthcare. “Health for me is the priority of all priorities,” he said, indicating that he wanted to recruit around 2,000 healthcare workers over the next five years and move toward the establishment of a “medical academy”.
Indeed, he was praised at the time by some lawmakers for his prior efforts in extending the opening hours at the public hospital and two health care centers and the improvement of specialized services, although others pointed out that these measures might be creating extra pressure for healthcare professionals, putting at risk the quality of their performance and raising the likelihood of medical errors.
Contrary to his intentions, Tam’s medical care priority did not result in notable accomplishments this year, with the government’s two flagship projects being set back again.
The secretary informed at the start of the year that the 2017 opening of the new Islands hospital was unrealistic and that it would likely enter into operation in 2019 – only for that to be subsequently delayed again following a statement last month from Eddie Wong, who belongs to the managing group of one of the companies responsible for project’s construction.
Meanwhile, merely the design for the Infectious Diseases Building will not be finalized this year. By previous indications, it seems hardly worth penning an expected date for the facility’s opening.
In other areas, Tam’s media-savvy manner and wide grin has fallen short on multiple occasions this year, culminating in embarrassing accusations of incompetence earlier this month and the Chief Executive jokingly branding him a “naughty boy.”
Social affairs commentator, Larry So, told the Times that 2016 has “definitely not been a good year for Tam.” He said that the public servant is quite popular among the general public, but the problem is that Tam “has promised too much – especially in terms of heritage [protection] – and now can’t live up to those promises.”
“I sincerely hope that he thinks before he speaks [in future],” said So. “In fact, he should think twice.”
With that in mind, the Times takes a look at some of the developments so far this year bearing the seal of Alexis Tam.

FEBRUARY 10

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the A-Ma Temple on February 10

A fire breaks out at arguably Macau’s most historic site – the A-Ma Temple – as the result of an electrical short circuit. Although the blaze does not cause irreversible damage, several items inside the temple are spoiled, including an alter, a few wall-mounted plaques and some wooden furnishings.
The incident is embarrassing for the secretary whose remit includes heritage management, and it is estimated that it will take up to a year to fully repair the temple. Tam says the government will spare no effort in restoring the damaged relics, and will strengthen safety measures at the city’s heritage attractions.

MARCH 15
Tam defends the Infectious Diseases Building project as living up to international standards, including in regards to the recommended proximity to residential areas. He says that the plans are “designed [to] World Health Organization standards, [… and] are completely safe, regardless of the facilities inside the buildings or the transportation procedures.”

MARCH 30

The secretary pledges in the Legislative Assembly (AL) the government will solve the dispute between employees and employers over their respective contribution ratios toward social security payments. The ratios have been in place since 1998, which, if maintained, could jeopardize the whole security system, Tam says. In June, the government presents a draft to the AL for discussion.

APRIL 20

The “mega promotion” event in South Korea

Tam leads a delegation in South Korea to promote tourism, in what the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) describes as a “mega promotional event.” The secretary uses his visit to Busan and Seoul to meet with the Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, Kim Chong, among other activities.

MAY 17

Infectious Diseases Building

Public disagreement over whether the Infectious Diseases Building should be constructed on Guia Hill next to the Public Hospital extends into the AL, dividing lawmakers.
Tam insists that it is essential that the complex is located on the proposed site and assures the AL that it will not pose a risk to nearby residents.
At the same time the secretary admits that the original budget of MOP630 million “seems unlikely to be enough anymore.”
The discussion at the AL results in a quiet amendment to the building plan, lowering the total height of the Infectious Diseases Building to eight storeys.

JULY 13

Aspect of the old firecracker factory and surrounding area

A Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) investigation into the legal ownership of the Iec Long Firecracker Factory separately condemns the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) for paying out more than MOP5 million in restoration and remediation costs for conservation works.
According to the CCAC, “there is [no] basis for the IC to pay on the owner’s behalf and to be reimbursed later,” adding that no evidence has been found of an attempt to recover the expenses.
The anti-corruption bureau also warns that the ownership dispute would cause further delays to the process of having the area listed as a cultural heritage site.

JULY 25

A car at the Grand Prix Museum

The MGTO announces a number of new concept proposals for the Macau Grand Prix Museum revamp – a project that, based on preliminary estimates, is likely to cost more than MOP300 million or MOP19,000 per square meter. Officials say that the museum will likely be closed during the first half of next year, with the hope of it re-opening by the end of 2018.

AUGUST 11

Wushu Masters Challenge participants, near the Ruins of St. Paul

The inaugural edition of the Wushu Masters Challenge event kicks off, inviting martial arts experts from around the world to participate. The event takes place across multiple venues, including the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and Senado Square. However, eyebrows are raised by social media users regarding the caliber of the “grand wushu masters” after video footage of several fights and demonstrations are uploaded and shared on the Internet.
The budget for the event is also scrutinized, coming in at around MOP20 million.

AUGUST 16

New Macau Association president Scott Chiang (left)

New Macau Association president, Scott Chiang, calls Tam “ignorant and arrogant,” and claims the secretary is incapable of managing the territory’s heritage.
Chiang makes the comments just days after he is arrested for allegedly hoisting a black banner from the Hotel Estoril that denounced Tam as a “heritage killer.”
Separately, at the Macau International Airport prior to his departure to Beijing, the Chief Executive jokingly remarks that Tam is “a naughty boy,” but insists that he is a good colleague and team member.

AUGUST 22

People walk pas the Taipa-Houses Museum

Lawmaker Pereira Coutinho criticizes the government for its Taipa-Houses Museum plan, which he claims is destroying the city’s heritage in exchange for yet another cultural and creative site. He also criticized authorities for failing to take into account the Macanese connections with the area for not consulting with the community before announcing the plan.
Coutinho makes the comments at the headquarters of the association that he leads, the Macau Civil Servants Association.
The project was announced and endorsed by Alexis Tam in June. The renovation budget comes in at approximately MOP6.4 million, and the works are expected to be completed by the end of September.