Locals want more elected lawmakers

Macau residents expressed on Wednesday their support to the increase of the number of members of the Legislative Assembly (AL) and the electoral committee of the Chief Executive.
A total of 497 citizens participated in the only consultation session on political reform open to the public but only 37 had a chance to share their opinions during the nearly two-hour session.
According to Portuguese news agency Lusa, participants widely supported the revision of the methods for electing the AL in 2013 and for selecting the Chief Executive in 2014. They said directly-elected lawmakers should increase from 29 to 33 and there should be 100 or 150 more seats at the 300-strong electoral committee of the Chief Executive.
Despite the consensus over the increase in the number of AL seats, opinions varied on the specific changes. Many argued that two directly-elected lawmakers should be added to the current 12 and two should be added to the indirectly-elected seats (there are 10 nowadays).
Others stressed that the current political system has proven to be “effective” and in line with local reality, while some would rather defend a “gradual” reform according to “Macau’s needs”.
Although the session targeted ordinary citizens, after seven other sessions were organised to listen to the main interest sectors, including associations and professional groups, three AL members also signed up to speak: Gabriel Tong Io Cheng, José Chui Sai Peng and Vong Hin Fai.

Step backwards

All of them are Chief Executive-appointed lawmakers. The first public consultation session invited all lawmakers and politicians to participate.
Chui said that adding three to six seats to the AL is “acceptable”. Vong argued that the current composition of the parliament “is already effective” and, just like Tong, he suggested an “appropriate increase” to the number of seats.
A young woman stood against the adding of Chief Executive-appointed lawmakers, saying it would be a “step backwards”. She said the number of indirectly elected seats should be reduced, and three made available for direct election.
There was criticism over the indirect vote. Others pointed fingers at the absence or poor representation of some sectors, such as education and social services.
As for the electoral committee of the Chief Executive, some proposed a maximum of 600 people in order to promote a wider participation of the society in the selection of the SAR leader.
Others, like Chui Sai Peng – a cousin of Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On – rejected major changes, saying that the committee works today like a “mini-society” that holds the “right representation”.
During the session, many called for greater participation of the youth in politics, by opening up more opportunities for them to take part. Others said that Macau should not import experiences, not even from Hong Kong.