Wong Sio Chak not considering running for CE

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said that he has never considered running in the next Chief Executive (CE) election, according to media reports.  During the Lunar New Year holiday, Wong paid visits to the Border Gate building and the Macau Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Wong was questioned by the media about whether he would run for the CE election. In response, Wong indicated that he had already answered the same question last year at a fire service open day and that his answer remains unchanged since then.

Decrease in number of students in universities

The Director of the Tertiary Education Services Office, Sou Chio Fai, expects a decrease in the ratio of local students matriculating into Macau’s universities between 2020 and 2022. The drop is related to the decline in the number of high school graduates. Between 2020 and 2022, there will be around 3,000 to 4,000 high school graduates. This scenario will pose a challenge to the development of Macau’s local tertiary education institutions, according to Sou. As a result of the decrease in number of students enrolling in local universities, Sou believes that universities can fill in the gap by expanding their scientific research and social welfare efforts. Sou has suggested that schools should provide more courses, including double-degrees and postgraduate courses. Sou also recommended that local students consider obtaining more degrees, rather than just pursuing one bachelor’s degree. 

More locations to be available for health measurements

The Health Bureau’s (SSM) “My Health Depends On Me” program will have more service points this year, according to SSM Director Lei Chin Ion.  During TDM Macau Forum, Lei reported that the program was used by 530,000 people, and that the number had been continuously increasing.  The figure proves that the program has been successful, in Lei’s opinion.  The program currently has 35 service points, where equipment for measuring blood pressure, blood sugar levels and other important health metrics are available. SSM will purchase new equipment for the new points. In addition, Lei noted that currently, Macau is effectively controlling the flu situation.

Direct flights to Cebu City launched

A direct flight route between Macau and Cebu City, in the central Philippines, was launched on Friday. The new route, with daily direct flights, is operated by Air Asia. It is also the airline’s second route to the Philippines from Macau, and their 10th international destination from Macau. Southeast Asia is an important market, with an increasing number of air passengers travelling to Macau each year, said Director of the Macau International Airport’s (MIA) Marketing Department Eric Fong at the launch ceremony. About 25,000 passengers used the airport every day in January, up 20 percent year-on-year, according to the MIA.

10 detained in illegal gambling operation

The Public Security Police Force (PSP) has cracked down an illegal gambling operation at an industrial building located on Av. de Venceslau de Morais.  Eight people were detained, including the illegal venue operators and gamblers, and two further mainland women were also detained as suspected illegal workers. Four of the 10 detainees were local men acting as the operators, two illegal mainland workers were dealers, and three Hong Kong men and one local woman at the scene were gamblers.  These people are aged between 30 and 40 years old. Additionally, PSP seized two gambling tables, 17 chairs, chips with an estimated value between HKD5 and HKD5,000, as well as decks of cards and several computers. Among the suspects’ belongings, the police seized telecommunication tools and a total of MOP180,000 in cash. The 10 detainees admitted to their illegal conduct.