Macau's leader Fernando Chui 'happy to let Beijing know public's views on democracy'
Activists say Fernando Chui has made no effort to introduce a road map to full democracy
Macau's leader said yesterday he would be "happy" to let Beijing know what the city's residents think about democracy, as he launched his campaign for re-election as chief executive, an exercise all too likely to be a one-man race.
The promise drew criticism that Dr Fernando Chui Sai-on was merely paying lip service to increasingly disaffected and democratically minded young people.
Local democrats noted Chui made no attempt in his campaign platform, unveiled yesterday, to introduce a road map to full democracy.
Unlike Hong Kong's Basic Law, Macau's mini-constitution does not list universal suffrage as a goal.
If re-elected for a second five-year term, his focus would instead be on housing supply and administrative reforms, he said. He declined to say whether a cabinet reshuffle or the creation of new positions was on the cards.
Once there is a consensus, I am happy to reflect the views to the government
Chui, 57, will stand for election on August 31. The poll will be decided by a 400-strong election committee that will represent Macau's 560,000 residents.
