24 The lasT Year of edmund ho
As Chief Executive Edmund Ho enters the home stretch
of his historic time in charge he faces a myriad of challenges.
The banker’s final policy address was aimed at tackling them
Addressing
the issues
by Sofia Jesus
OT surprisingly, Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah’s 2009 Policy
Address was dominated by the global financial meltdown. His speech
promised a range of measures to support small and medium sized
enterprises, as well as promises of a increased public expenditure to breathe
life into the local economy.
W
ith this in mind, it's not surprising that Macau and clarifies the concept of "preparatory actions".
Polytechnic Institute professo Larry So chooses the However, So doesn't expect any controversy around the Ar-
maintenance of economic stability as the big priority ticle 23 proposals.
for Ho's last year in office. In other words, he says: "To ensure "Macau is very conservative and pro-China. But one day
there are job opportunities and a relatively stable income.''. things will change, I'm optimistic,'' he says, convinced this will
So adds that whether it comes from the casinos or other be Edmund Ho's last job: "He will get the machine going and
sources is not important, but a lot more remains to be done in 'run away' ," says So.
the political and social spheres. For legal expert Nuno Lima Bastos, Edmund Ho's team
would do better if they were to regulate the Basic Law's article
Golden eggs 27 , which states that Macau residents shall have "the right and
freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike''. However,
So sounds a warning about "hostile political feelings" de- nothing has been done on this: "The international crisis could
veloping in the community towards foreign investors in Macau, bring an increase in social conflicts, so it would be better to
particularly in the gaming industry. These are rising after the regulate on this subject,'' says Bastos.
massive lay offs announced by Las Vegas Sands. People think
the US gaming giant is not living up to expectations and, by political development
choosing to suspend Cotai projects instead of its developments
in Singapore, it seems it to be "forgetting about Macau". In terms of the development of the political system, IPM
Money earned in Macau does not stay in Macau, they ar- professor So doesn't believe there will be changes in a near fu-
gue. Or, as So puts it: "They are keeping the goose that lays the ture: "I'm very sure this won't happen in the next ten years." But
golden egg, but they are not feeding it.'' he does hope that in 2009 there could at least be talks on the
What should Edmund Ho do to prevent this? Simple, says subject.
So: "Keep a very strong hand and regulate in a way that com- Bastos also hopes a few steps can be taken in that direc-
panies are obliged to reinvest in Macau. That means at least 50 tion: "If the government is sincere when it says it will study
per cent of their revenues.'' He recognises this could be seen as a future democratisation of the political system - but doesn't
a "drastic measure" but he believes it is necessary to maintain say when - it should at least start some training actions that
social harmony. can explain to people what elections mean,'' he says. “A plan to
As for the future national security law – which is under prepare civil society for eventual universal suffrage – not in the
consultation until the end of November - So hopes the draft is 2009 elections, of course, but maybe in future ones, would be
improved, so that it specifically guarantees freedom of speech acceptable,” he adds.
december 2008
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