Gaming, Governance and Public Policy in Macao

Notes and References

238 Appendix December 1,500 protesters take to the streets, demonstrating ‘against corruption and for democracy’as well as over a wide range of labour issues, such as illegal and imported labour and ‘taking away locals’ jobs’. MGM Grand Macau opens. The second phase of Wynn Resorts opens. The Executive Council concludes discussions on the Draft Bill on Revisions to Ranks and Grades of the Public Security Authority and Public Security Forces. 2008 January The government plans a levy on all enterprises hiring imported labour. Ao Man Long, Macao’s former Secretary forTransport and Public Works, is sentenced to 27 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption, money-laundering, abuse of power and unjusti¿ed wealth charges. February The Legislative Assembly passes a legislation of ‘adjusting salaries, pension and death bene¿ts for civil servants’. The adjustment takes retrospective effect from January 1, 2008 and raises each point on the civil service salary scale to MOP59. March Macao and Guangdong agree on the nine-point co-operation concept. The government launches a proposal to solve transport problems in Macao. April The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau is prepared to foot interest tab for student loans. The government freezes new gaming concessions, casinos, gaming tables, slot machines and junket-tour operators. Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah hands out a one-off subsidy of MOP5,000 each for all permanent residents and MOP3,000 each for temporary residents. May Six gaming operators ‘agree’ to limit junket commissions. June The Collegial Bench of the Court of First Instance ¿nds Ao Man Long’s wife, Chan Meng Leng, brother, Ao Man Fu, sister-in-law, Ao Chan Wa Choi and father, Ao Veng Kong guilty of money-laundering. Three businessmen and a civil servant are also found guilty of graft. July The ¿rst Wealth Partaking Scheme is introduced. All permanent residents are entitled to a one-off cash subsidy of MOP5,000. The government consults the community on the ‘Outline for Macao Urban Concept Plan’. August Macao becomes a signatory to the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. 239 Timeline: Macao 1999–2010 The Legislative Assembly passes a new Labour Relations Law, effective from January 1, 2009. October The government signs bus franchise deals offering two-year temporary contracts. December The government approves proposals for two bus companies to increase fares. The government plans to participate in the building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in 2009. 2009 January Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008) is enforced. March Article 23 State Security Law takes effect. April Government announces 21 ‘planning districts’ which have not previously been disclosed to the public. The authority will revise such planning districts according to social development needs. May Chui Sai On resigns as Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture to run for Chief Executive. The second Wealth Partaking Scheme is launched. All permanent residents are entitled to a one-off cash subsidy of MOP6,000. June The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau intends to revise the ‘voluntary education’ system and to punish those who do not follow the regulations. The number of civil servants increases to 21,420, a 3.71 percent rise compared with the year before. The Home Ownership Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is revived. Residents aged 21 or above purchasing a property of MOP2.6 million or less are entitled to a 4 percent mortgage interest subsidy for ten years. The government ¿rst introduced the scheme in 1996 but suspended it in 2002 when the housing market rebounded. July Chui Sai On is nominated as the third-term Chief Executive on July 26. The Legislative Assembly passes Law 13/2009, titled ‘Legal Framework for Legislation’, which narrows the law-making power of the Chief Executive to issuing decree law only for the management of the public services. August Chui Sai On is elected as the next Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. The government drafts a by-law to cap junket commissions. September The Legislative Assembly is elected on September 20. There are 149,000 voters in the election and the turnout rate reaches nearly 60 percent. Members are elected through direct election, ten members come from indirect election and seven members are nominated by the Chief Executive. 240 Appendix October Election Law of Chief Executive, Legislative Assembly and voters comes into effect on October 15. The Legislative Assembly passes a new imported labour law with the...