In a report issued last week, the city’s Commission of Audit slammed the outsourcing abuse of government departments, indicating departments had a ‘misunderstanding of the laws’ in respect to granting financial aid and outsourcing public works without open tender, negotiating for fair prices, or even not signing contracts. Speaking to reporters yesterday, the top official said his government cares deeply about the report, revealing he had had an administrative meeting with the five secretaries on the issue. “We will study adopting the opinions suggested in the report. In fact, some departments, such as the Panda Fund, have already adopted the Commission’s opinions. This report is not only an audit report, [it shows that] it is time to study and review the necessity and the needs of outsourcing public services,” the CE said. He added that the government would also study practical measures that are helpful for government departments. Meanwhile, he perceives the city’s public servants may also need to enhance their own abilities. Asked by reporters whether he agrees that the government is abusing the outsourcing of research and advising services, Mr. Chui claimed that he had received different opinions on the point, explaining that the government would always want to propose a bill based on public opinion. The CE also revealed that he would nominate a new chief for the Macau Customs Services to the central government this month. After former Customs chief Lai Man Wa committed suicide last October, the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, took up the position as acting head of the Customs.
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