CE: Idle land plots can cover ‘land debt’

Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On is confident that the idle plots of land the SAR government is to recover will be sufficient to repay the city’s land debts. “Many of the cases are currently under lawsuits. Even though I can’t give you more details on the progress, the government is very confident in winning the cases as it has taken the initiative to recover the plots based on the new land law,” the top official told reporters yesterday at the local airport before departing for a three-day official visit to Beijing. Asked whether the government had a back-up plan, such as using plots in the new land reclamation areas to repay the debts if the size of idle plots to be recovered is inadequate, Mr. Chui rejected this possibility. “I absolutely believe the idle plots will be enough to repay the land debts,” the Chief Executive reassured. “But first of all, I need to emphasize that we need to respect the legal system and the law. If we win all the lawsuits [regarding the idle plots], we will have sufficient parcels to repay the debts”. Recently, the Chief Executive told the Legislative Assembly that the government is involved in six cases of outstanding land debts, relating to a total of 88,806 square metres. “The land debts are owed due to the government’s previous favorable policies [to the gaming industry], and [for the purposes of] public facilities and benefits,” the top official said yesterday, claiming that all idle plots will be prioritized for public housing and government facilities when they are officially reclaimed. The plots involved in the land debts include the two parcels of land housing three gaming projects, namely, Wynn Macau, MGM Macau and Galaxy Macau; another two plots for the public housing projects in Ilha Verde and in Coloane; and two for the Golden Lotus Square and the expansion of the Incineration Plant in Pac On, Taipa. According to the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario the SAR government has declared that land grants for some 40 idle plots in the territory are invalid, as their developers failed to develop the plots before the expiry of their 25-year concessions. Most of the land awardees, meanwhile, have filed judicial appeals against the government’s decisions, the Secretary said. “It will take us a while to handle the issue due to the heavy workload and the [high number] of plots involved,” the Chief Executive said. Mr. Chui will stay in the capital city for three days until this Thursday to discuss the city’s first Five-year Development Plan. During the trip, he will meet with officials from several ministries and departments of the central government.

Chui: Tam is a good worker Meanwhile, the Chief Executive said he would examine the criticisms against the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng when he returns from Beijing. The top official was asked about his thoughts on the Secretary, following the latter being criticized for his policies regarding the Hotel Estoril and the Infectious Disease Building. “I have been working with him for many years and I think he is a very hardworking and motivated public servant. As a leader and a secretary, we should always listen humbly to opinions from the society and the legislature, especially criticisms,” he said. “When I come back, I will analyze with him…I would not presume he is a bad kid. Instead, he is a very good colleague of the team”.