Wong Sio Chak sets path for Macau’s legal and administrative reforms

Secretary for Administration and Justice, Wong Sio Chak, unveiled his 2026 policy agenda, placing legal, administrative, and national security reforms at the core of legislative debate during a recent plenary session at the Legislative Assembly.

During Friday’s session, lawmaker Vong Hou Piu requested Wong to clarify the proposed “Legal regime for the right of association” in next year’s legal bill, sparking discussion on how upcoming changes could impact Macau’s complex network of associations.

Responding to concerns, Wong acknowledged irregularities in the sector, noting that associations differ greatly in quality and oversight. He said these longstanding issues require a more comprehensive and unified regulatory approach.

The Secretary pointed to Macau’s rapid social expansion, which he explained had outpaced outdated oversight systems, leaving significant regulatory blind spots.

Wong explained that regulations governing the right of association were introduced in 1999. And in the more than two decades since then, Macau has grown from 1,700 associations to over 12,300. Adding, “Currently, there is no competent entity to oversee or monitor the associations that have been dissolved for more than 10 or 20 years.”

To address these oversight challenges, Wong proposed creating a more robust system that blends preventive, real-time, and post-event supervision. Such a system, he explained, is crucial for bridging existing gaps and clearing away the ambiguities and inefficiencies that have hampered effective governance and law enforcement for years.

Wong further highlighted that within this time, many associations that have formally ceased operations still appear in public registries, fueling confusion and undermining law enforcement efforts. He concluded, “Dealing with these associations requires regulation related to the security of our State, and the next step is public scrutiny.”

Wong highlighted that only a comprehensive legal architecture can provide both protection and flexibility as civil society evolves. He states that the updated laws will include new safeguards to address risks stemming from opaque operations, which can represent a dormant threat to public security and governance.

Wong also addressed concerns about global supply chain risks, confirming that Macau’s public administration and civil service have been instructed to prioritize the purchase of electronic equipment manufactured in China.

However, despite these measures, Wong assured that the private sector will not be subject to the same requirements.

The Administration and Justice Secretary noted that such guidelines follow recent international developments that have prompted authorities to focus closely on reliably securing essential devices and technology for public services. The move, as explained by Wong, is intended to reduce supply risks in light of escalating tensions with “certain Western nations”.

“This is a very sensitive issue, and one that also presents a vulnerability, because in Western countries, especially some with a hostile stance towards China, there is a risk to the supply of these electronic devices,” Wong said at the AL.

Despite these requirements for the public sector, Wong emphasized that the private sector will remain unrestricted, retaining full discretion to source devices globally as needed. “We have an open market and will not restrict the private sector from using the devices and entities,” adding, “The private sector has the freedom to choose.”

Civil service emphasized as pillar of progress

Responding to lawmaker Lam Fat Iam, Wong underscored the government’s push for “a learning government,” where ongoing training and professional growth drive an efficient public sector.

Insisting that future civil service programs will integrate “mental and physical health” content to address holistic needs, Wong reinforced that the administration remains focused on supporting the well-being and advancement of employees.

He also confirmed that Macau’s public administration restructuring and mergers are set for completion by 2029. Wong reassured the AL that these changes will continue to be refined, ensuring specialized positions are not diminished but rather strengthened through ongoing reform. He explained that centralizing department functions, such as personnel and finance management, will allow professionals to focus more on their core specialties.

Recreational spaces scheduled in the North

Eight new recreational and leisure projects are set for construction or renovation in the northern district by the end of next year, Wong announced.

Among the projects, the Toi San Recreational Area is due to be completed before the end of this year. At the same time, improvement works on Avenida Marginal de Ilha Verde are scheduled for completion during the first quarter of 2027. Most of the eight upgrades, including eight public leisure and recreational areas, will be delivered by the end of 2026.

The sectoral debate on the policy address for 2026 will continue today, with the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai.