On the first working day of the fourth-term Government today, the four new principal officials outlined their policies and administration visions. Speaking to the press on their plans for the next five years were Secretary for Administration and Justice Ms Chan Hoi Fan, Secretary for Economy and Finance Mr Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Security Mr Wong Sio Chak, and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Mr Tam Chon Weng. Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário is in Europe to ensure a smooth transfer of the three positions he held prior to his appointment as the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, namely the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union in Brussels and the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the World Trade Organization. Secretary for Administration and Justice Ms Chan Hoi Fan said her team have started to review the process in drafting and proposing bills to the Legislative Assembly, and would review current legislations and regulations. Re-structuring of various government departments would be highlighted in the Policy Address in March next year. Ms Chan said to follow the principle of streamlining operations and structures, the Government would make appropriate re-allocation of staff after analysing the needs of departments. Other measures included increasing upward mobility by providing more benefits, training, consolidating civil service contracts. Her team would keep in close touch with civil servants associations to get a better grasps of their needs. Ms Chan said the website of the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice would be launched soon to enhance interaction with the public. The Secretary for the Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said he would start by explaining his policy visions to officials from departments under him and to staff of his office to ensure their policies were in line with the Chief Executive's administration principles. Asked about the recent revenue slowdown from gaming, Mr Leong said the Government would invite experts from the private sector to work with his team to establish a system to measure non-gaming elements in the industry, to help adequately diversify the economy. The Government would set up an inter-departmental co-ordinating group to enhance government services to residents and small- and medium-sized enterprises, said Mr Leong. The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, started his day overseeing the oath-taking ceremony of the Director of the Judiciary Police, Mr Chau Wai Kuong; and the Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force, Mr Leong Man Cheong, where he urged them to pro-actively tackle challenges while fulfilling their responsibilities. Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Wong said despite new crime trends brought about by computerisation, his team would make best efforts in maintaining a safe and secure society. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Mr Tam Chon Weng said he attached great importance to people's livelihood and public opinions: he urged department heads under him to respond to queries from members of the Legislative Assembly within two working days, and to enhance communication with the press. Mr Tam said he would start to hold press briefings every one or two months to respond to residents' opinions and to better explain policies. The newly launched website of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture has received suggestions from the public that would be addressed in the Policy Address. He said to put the Chief Executive's administration principles into practice, the departments under him would be asked to enhance efficiency and pay close attention to headcounts. The Health Bureau would recruit more staff to meet the people's increasing needs for medical services, Mr Tam said.
