8
Make our public institutions credible
I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW SOME PUBLIC departments go to the trouble of making veiled threats they know they are not willing to fulfi l. They are worse than toothless – and clawless – tigers. The Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau is one example. In April, without anyone quite realising
why, the bureau sent written ultimatums to as many as 30 land concessionaires. The letters warned developers about holding onto precious concessions for too long without building on the land. I think we can understand why the
bureau is upset. The problem has become almost generational. Out-of-luck developers, with good
friends or no scruples – but typically a bit of both – have managed to grab hold of several pieces of land they plan to develop when they see fi t. Failing that, they need do nothing at all with the community’s land. They may even choose to speculate, waiting for the perfect time to sell for a good profi t. There are even some who ask for the
government’s agreement to alter the land’s zoning according to shifting business opportunities. It often seems there is no rational reason behind the request. The requests appear to be as fi ckle as the direction the wind blows.
Follow through There are many developers that develop their land according to the stated purpose.
OCTOBER 2010
These properties have been used to advance the community’s well-being and promote Macau’s growth. Unfortunately there are some developers
that have become players in a circus and it seems no one has learned their lesson or been made accountable. In conclusion, it is a completely
shameful situation. We praise the government for making
an effort to stop these unacceptable situations – some of them quite recently, as reported in Macau Business. On the other hand, we do not
understand why the bureau has not followed though with its threats. Instead, it hides behind the concessionaires’ explanations, the same developers who have failed to keep their agreements with the government. It’s as if there’s no binding law in this
city. Even worse, it seems the law is open to interpretation according to the time, blaming some and excusing others. The law is the law and our public
offi cials should know that better than anyone else. If they can’t manage developers, they are not doing a good job and should be dismissed. If land is not being developed according
to the timeframe agreed to in a contract, the respective fi nes should apply. When deadlines for paying the fi nes are not met and development has not started, the land should be returned to the government and a
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