http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/53226-chui-withdraws-compensation-bill-to-%E2%80%9Clisten-to-the-people%E2%80%9D.html
The Chief Executive Chui Sai On called a press conference yesterday morning to announce the scrapping of the contentious compensation bill that would have granted a lavish retirement package to the CE and top officials, on the heels of two mass protests this week.
Chui said that the government would only advance with a new proposal “if the population agrees.” Meanwhile, he said the Secretariat for Administration and Justice will collect opinions, and the government promises to utilize multiple channels such as media, lectures, and explanatory sessions, in order to receive suggestions.
The scrapped bill would have allowed a retiring Chief Executive to receive 70 percent of his salary until he found a new job, and granted him immunity from prosecution while in office.
“The government hopes to listen to residents’ opinions in order to reach a consensus and narrow the differences,” Chui said, adding that the “divergence” should be not be prolonged.
Chui commented on the fact that the two recent demonstrations were conducted in a “legal and rational” manner, and that young people nowadays express appeals using more diversified channels, in a change from the past.
The term of office for the present MSAR government ends in December. Responding to criticism that the bill was a tailor-made plan for the benefit of the CE, Chui said: “As the Chief Executive, I have to participate in the establishment of the [compensation] scheme.” He declared that he would not benefit from the bill, stating: “All my gains from the future scheme will be donated to charity groups.”
Regarding the proposed criminal immunity for the CE while in office, another focus of the bill that caused public doubt, Chui said that the article makes for open discussion. “Back in 2007, Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Chan had suggested to the central government that the immunity is neither to transcend the Beijing authorities, nor to gain protection for me. (…) The CE is the person responsible for the SAR; should there be a certain scheme to guarantee that the CE can carry out works during his term? This is a question that deserves our consideration.” But he stressed that it doesn’t mean that the Chief Executive can be exempted from accusations.
He said that the incident also provided a chance for him and his group to pause for reflection.
Chui yesterday spent some 22 of the total 26 minutes “answering” questions that he had “received recently” before journalists proposed their questions. He did not give a timeframe for the would-be consultation. “The urgent thing is to listen to public opinions,” he replied.
The statement from the Executive Council admits that the administration could have done better in terms of the bill. The ExCo believes that the bill is necessary for the political system of the MSAR.
AL President Ho Iat Seng confirmed before the plenary meeting yesterday afternoon that the Assembly had accepted the CE’s request to withdraw the bill.
Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance, who reported that he is likely to step down after his term ends this year, has said that he supports the CE’s decision.
Tam said that he did not think about the contract, tenures and retirement pension when he took office 14 years ago. But he believes that a reasonable pension scheme is necessary, saying that he is not sure if future officials will agree to serve the government without the pension system.
New Macau Association lawmaker Au Kam San believes the incident indicates that the government is “arrogant” and that its members thought the bill could be passed without social consensus.
José Pereira Coutinho, a lawmaker who also initiated the protest on Sunday, said that the bill would affect Chui in running for the next CE term. He deems that consultation should be left to the next tenure of government.
Appointed lawmaker Vong Hin Fai expressed the belief that the withdrawal indicates the MSAR’s respect for public opinion.
Lawmaker Chui Sai Cheong respects government’s decision. He said that the AL has agreed in a discussion to suspend the bill, and that the withdrawal plan is basically the same – with the AL’s agreement.
Mak Soi Kun, a member of the Jiangmen Association, which protested for the bill in another rally held on Sunday, said that the legal system should be revised as people are criticizing the outdated laws of Macau. But, he believes that the approach to legislating the compensation scheme was correct. Mak declared that lawmakers make laws representing Macau residents, but not because of someone being for or against the bill.
The Chief Executive Chui Sai On called a press conference yesterday morning to announce the scrapping of the contentious compensation bill that would have granted a lavish retirement package to the CE and top officials, on the heels of two mass protests this week.
Chui said that the government would only advance with a new proposal “if the population agrees.” Meanwhile, he said the Secretariat for Administration and Justice will collect opinions, and the government promises to utilize multiple channels such as media, lectures, and explanatory sessions, in order to receive suggestions.
The scrapped bill would have allowed a retiring Chief Executive to receive 70 percent of his salary until he found a new job, and granted him immunity from prosecution while in office.
“The government hopes to listen to residents’ opinions in order to reach a consensus and narrow the differences,” Chui said, adding that the “divergence” should be not be prolonged.
Chui commented on the fact that the two recent demonstrations were conducted in a “legal and rational” manner, and that young people nowadays express appeals using more diversified channels, in a change from the past.
The term of office for the present MSAR government ends in December. Responding to criticism that the bill was a tailor-made plan for the benefit of the CE, Chui said: “As the Chief Executive, I have to participate in the establishment of the [compensation] scheme.” He declared that he would not benefit from the bill, stating: “All my gains from the future scheme will be donated to charity groups.”
Regarding the proposed criminal immunity for the CE while in office, another focus of the bill that caused public doubt, Chui said that the article makes for open discussion. “Back in 2007, Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Chan had suggested to the central government that the immunity is neither to transcend the Beijing authorities, nor to gain protection for me. (…) The CE is the person responsible for the SAR; should there be a certain scheme to guarantee that the CE can carry out works during his term? This is a question that deserves our consideration.” But he stressed that it doesn’t mean that the Chief Executive can be exempted from accusations.
He said that the incident also provided a chance for him and his group to pause for reflection.
Chui yesterday spent some 22 of the total 26 minutes “answering” questions that he had “received recently” before journalists proposed their questions. He did not give a timeframe for the would-be consultation. “The urgent thing is to listen to public opinions,” he replied.
The statement from the Executive Council admits that the administration could have done better in terms of the bill. The ExCo believes that the bill is necessary for the political system of the MSAR.
AL President Ho Iat Seng confirmed before the plenary meeting yesterday afternoon that the Assembly had accepted the CE’s request to withdraw the bill.
Francis Tam, Secretary for Economy and Finance, who reported that he is likely to step down after his term ends this year, has said that he supports the CE’s decision.
Tam said that he did not think about the contract, tenures and retirement pension when he took office 14 years ago. But he believes that a reasonable pension scheme is necessary, saying that he is not sure if future officials will agree to serve the government without the pension system.
New Macau Association lawmaker Au Kam San believes the incident indicates that the government is “arrogant” and that its members thought the bill could be passed without social consensus.
José Pereira Coutinho, a lawmaker who also initiated the protest on Sunday, said that the bill would affect Chui in running for the next CE term. He deems that consultation should be left to the next tenure of government.
Appointed lawmaker Vong Hin Fai expressed the belief that the withdrawal indicates the MSAR’s respect for public opinion.
Lawmaker Chui Sai Cheong respects government’s decision. He said that the AL has agreed in a discussion to suspend the bill, and that the withdrawal plan is basically the same – with the AL’s agreement.
Mak Soi Kun, a member of the Jiangmen Association, which protested for the bill in another rally held on Sunday, said that the legal system should be revised as people are criticizing the outdated laws of Macau. But, he believes that the approach to legislating the compensation scheme was correct. Mak declared that lawmakers make laws representing Macau residents, but not because of someone being for or against the bill.
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