And the 2011 award goes to…

The year of 2011 is almost history and it’s time to review the year and applaud those who excelled in their professional fields.
Macau Daily Times asked several local journalists to name the personalities in four categories: lawmaker, government official or politician, artist and professional, that they think deserve to be applauded or criticised for their work during this year.
Kwan Tsui Hang was the lawmaker that impressed journalists the most this year, while in the Administration, government spokesperson Alexis Tam Chong Weng was the favourite.
In the local arts world, James Chu Cheok So and the association he is currently heading, Arts For All Society, were the most highlighted by the media professionals that accepted the MDTimes invitation.
As for the professional category, Francis Liu, vice-chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, was highlighted twice for the opening of the casino resort Galaxy Macau in Cotai.
A total of eight journalists, directors and editors from local media companies are the jury for our 2011 awards.


Emanuel Graça
‘Macau Business’ editor-in-chief
Two fiascos, one creative and one visionary

Lawmaker: Ng Kuok Cheong
Mr Ng and the other two lawmakers from the New Macau Association once again proved the current imbalance of power in the Legislative Assembly (AL) has a negative impact on its performance.
The trio requested three public hearings but all failed to gather enough support from fellow lawmakers, who mostly don’t come from direct elections and are pro-government. The final decision seemed to be more targeted at defending the government’s image than at protecting public interest.

Government official/politician: Wong Wan, Transport Bureau director
The introduction of the new public bus system was arguably one of the government’s biggest fiascos in 2011. The lack of proper planning by Mr. Wong’s bureau was one of the major reasons why the system partially collapsed on the first day of operations.
Mr Wong was also unable to improve on taxi service or effectively promote eco-friendly vehicles. Macau’s traffic in a complete standstill during the Grand Prix week was a clear illustration of the bureau’s inability.

Artist: Wilson Lam Chi Ian, Macau Creations’ CEO and creative director
The company headed by Mr Lam opened its second shop and is now arguably the most well established player in the city’s creative and cultural industry.
What is more, through its business model of using artworks by local artists as design motifs, Macau Creations has grown to become the largest disseminator of Macau’s contemporary art among the mass audience.

Professional: Francis Liu Yiu Tung, vice-chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group
With the opening of Galaxy Macau, the company has became the second biggest gaming operator in town in terms of gross gaming revenue, just behind SJM Holdings. The results have surprised most analysts.
Mr Liu’s vision for Cotai, focused on Asian tourists and a wide offering of food and beverage rather than on convention, exhibitions and expensive resident shows, is one to be taken seriously in the future.


Hélder Fernando
journalist and commentator
"Portuguese-speaking people deserve congratulations"

Lawmaker: José Pereira Coutinho
He fulfills the mission of an AL member, at least to the extent that the position requires in Macau. Coutinho is a Portuguese from the East who defends his causes with conviction and knowledge, tirelessly and courageously. He stood out in 2011 as it has happened in previous years. The Portuguese-speaking people deserve congratulations!

Government official/politician: Beijing leaders
I prefer to mention the Beijing authorities whose performance is directly related to the SAR. They have shown intelligence, political sensitivity, sense of balance and perfect sense of the role of the Portuguese-speaking communities based in Macau, as well as the relevant importance of the region in China's relations with the universe of Portuguese-speaking countries and beyond. Beijing’s look on Macau has been fundamental, essential, critical and well informed. Here again, the Portuguese-speaking world deserves congratulations!

Artist: António Conceição Júnior
António Conceição Júnior is a great artist among the many arts that he embraces, including the written word as a profound artistic and literary way of expression. Anyone who has red his multiple texts, including the very recent book ‘Conversas do Chá e do Café’ [published only in Portuguese], knows that I speak frankly. Following his multiple and diverse creation, I can only guess how much more he will give us in the future and that’s the reason why he is part of the magnificent gallery of well-known artists Macau has shown to the world. Again, the Portuguese-speaking people deserve congratulations!

Professional: All Portuguese-language teachers in Macau
I want to emphasize the monumental work of teachers of Portuguese as a second language in many places in the world, particularly in Macau, where they perform a remarkable work – though not always understood and supported accordingly. They are great professionals, whose mission has an extraordinary range. Again, the Portuguese-speaking people deserve congratulations!


Gilberto Lopes
director of Rádio Macau’s Portuguese-language channel
"A voice against the inertia and the super-secretary"

Lawmaker: Kwan Tsui Hang
The representative of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions has been active, whether working in the AL standing commissions or in plenary meetings. Despite representing a sector that is traditionally considered pro-government, she has been critical towards some policies and has raised many times his voice against the inertia of the Executive and delays in urgent measures.

Government official/politician: Alexis Tam Chon Weng
He is almost a kind of super-secretary, in charge of important issues such as relations with Taiwan and Portugal, the Chinese Traditional Medicine Industrial Park and the negotiations on the framework agreement with Guangdong. In addition, he ensures the leadership of Chui Sai On’s office and the government’s spokesperson office.

Artist: House of Portugal and Albergue SCM
The team led by Maria Amélia Antonio [president of the House of Portugal] continues to show great dynamic, contributing to the affirmation and promotion of many aspects of the Portuguese culture in Macau.
Albergue SCM has not only boosted the revitalisation the historic district of São Lázaro, but also held lots of activities, with emphasis on the promotion and spreading of the Macanese memory and culture.

Professional: judge Chu Kin
Macau lost one of its most qualified professionals in 2011 in such an important area as justice is. Chu Kin was considered by all those who have worked with him a competent judge, who knew the law (which is not always the case with those who work in this area). The Court of Final Appeal (TUI) and, above all, Macau will miss him.
The current deputy attorney of the Public Prosecutions Office, Song Man Lei, should replace him in the TUI. That’s a good choice due to her expertise.


José Carlos Matias
TDM News editor
"Cheong’s new year main challenge and the vice-rector"

Lawmaker: Kwan Tsui Hang
Over the years Kwan Tsui Hang has became simultaneously more reasonable and assertive. Whereas in the early years of the SAR she took a soft stance towards the government, in recent years Kwan adopted a different style, occasionally combative. Despite being a leading member of the powerful pro-status quo Federation of Trade Unions, she keeps on putting pressure on the government, pushing for a more generous and ambitious social agenda.

Government official/politician: secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U
Opinion polls show that he is by far the most popular secretary of Chui Sai On’s government. As a ‘super-minister’ he is in charge of a number of important portfolios: education, culture, social security, sports, tourism and health. In 2011 as a result of the windfall of public revenue, more resources have been allocated to his portfolios. Next year Cheong’s main challenge is how to upgrade the quality of public services and avoid falling short of expectations.

Artist: Art For All Society
It’s not one artist, it’s a group of local artists who have been in the forefront of the development and promotion of local art creations. In 2011 they held exhibitions in Portugal, Malaysia, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing introducing more Macau contemporary arts to the international stage. Their Beijing branch, set up in 2008, is gaining steam.

Professional: Rui Martins, vice-rector of the University of Macau
Over the past two decades, Rui Martins has been playing a pivotal role in fostering cutting-edge research and development at University of Macau. His efforts and achievements were acknowledged by the central government as the Ministry of Science and Technology granted the State Key Lab status to UM’s Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLS. The lab opened early this year and cooperation with top-notch mainland researchers is underway.


Carlos Morais José
‘Hoje Macau’ director and publisher
"Macau’s identity, a safe city and Art for All"

Lawmaker: Leonel Alves
He is a clear and rational voice – though scarcely heard – which is something that you do not always see at the Legislative Assembly. He also plays an important role in Beijing [as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference] in maintaining Macau's identity.

Government official/politician: Cheong Kuok Va, secretary for Security
Macau is a safe city, and that’s a reality. It is the only area of governance that has worked effectively and thus escaped criticism from all sectors of society.

Artist: James Chu, head of Art for All Society
The 9/11 exhibition says it all.

Professional: the Portuguese nationals
The arrival of young and specialized manpower from Portugal to the SAR during 2011 adds contemporary thoughts and practices to the city in several areas and this may have a positive impact in the future of Macau.


José Miguel Encarnação
‘O Clarim’ editor
"The courage to criticize, the photographer and the conductor"


Lawmaker: Mak Soi Kun
It is difficult to name a member of the AL who has excelled among its peers. Still, my choice falls on Mak Soi Kun.
Although considered a pro-establishment man Mak Soi Kun had the courage to criticize government decisions mainly concerning the interests of the population. For example, when the AL was discussing the creation of a commission to study the salary increase for civil servants, he urged works to be speed up so rises could be implemented as soon as possible.

Government official/politician: Alexis Tam
No doubt about it! The right-hand man of the Chief Executive has strengthened its image within the government and to the general public, making a few more metres of his long walk to the position of secretary for Economy and Finance.

Artist: António Mil-Homens
Photographer António Mil-Homens, for the professionalism he has dedicated to the work done and exhibited throughout the year. Professionalism is something that is scarce in Macau in all areas of activity.

Professional: Lü Jia
The conductor of the Macau Orchestra, Lü Jia, for three reasons: he hired musicians with worldwide-recognized quality; imposed new rules, more accuracy and professionalism and was able to resolve some of the problems that were affecting the musicians’ income and, of course, of the whole orchestra.


Emily Siu
TDM News reporter
"The power couple, bus companies … one under fire!"


Lawmaker: Melinda Chan Mei Yi
Together with her husband and owner of the Fisherman's Wharf, David Chow, the power couple conducted a large-scale public consultation on where Macau's people want the future ferry terminal to be located. They also submitted a petition to the government regarding the matter. I believe whether or not to move the ferry terminal is if not the top than one of the top concerns of each Macau citizen and Chan did her job as a lawmaker to bring this issue 'out into the light'.
 
Government official/politician: Wong Wan
Although the transition into the new public bus system was not very smooth in the beginning, the city is slowly getting used to the three bus companies and services have improved. Wong Wan took in users’ opinions and now we're seeing results.
 
Artist: James Chu
He was one of the four chosen artists to represent Macau in this year's Venice Biennale. His installation 'The Vanishing Bairro Social de Mong-Ha' was one of the best I've seen in Macau. Walking through it really gave me a glimpse of his childhood.
 
Professional: Cedric Rigaux, general manager of Reolian
As the new kid on the block, Reolian has come under fire time and time again before and after the new public bus system came into effect. Fingers were also pointed at Reolian for poaching drivers from the other two bus operators. Almost six months into the new system, Rigaux led his team to fully adapt to Macau and buses are running more frequently.

Paulo Barbosa
‘Tribuna de Macau’ reporter
"The lawmaker,
the consensus builder
and the tycoon"

Lawmaker: Ho Sio Kam
AL members tend to defend their sector’s interests. Considering this, I think Ho Sio Kam was the most persistent and accurate lawmaker, who was always attentive to issues related to professional training and human resources quality, one of the major challenges the region is currently facing.

Government official/politician: Chui Sai On
As architect Carlos Marreiros wrote in a recent article published by Tribuna de Macau, Chui Sai On is far from being a ‘leonine leader’, who wants to attract much attention to himself. Its governance is very much based on the collective and on building consensus. Whether you like this style or not, the second year of his government confirmed Chui’s reliability and attention to social issues.

artist: Art for All Society
I highlight the association Art For All, which held the second edition of the Autumn Saloon and has participated in several events in mainland China and abroad, contributing to the dissemination of local art.

Professional: Francis Liu Yiu Tung
I pick Francis Lui for the opening of the new resort in Cotai. In addition to the huge casino (with over 450 tables and 1,500 slots that place Galaxy firmly in the mass market battle), the property includes a broad range of hotels and restaurants. It’s too bad that only guests can access the artificial beach and wave pool. But residents can now enjoy a cinema complex with excellent projection conditions.