The idea that Macau is an unsafe place, with high levels of crime, lack of security, offences and felonies may well be what an alien would feel if he were to make a short visit to this, it seems, once quiet, calm and peaceful place.
Recent legislative proposals are in line with the crime rates of the city (i.e.) fighting the violent crimes practiced by – guess what! – the visitors, of course, who, in most cases, overstay and commit contemptuous acts most of the time. Ergo, those rude visitors are the source of all bad things that happen in our city. The numbers are rising every day and even a new place of detention is being constructed to host the increasing number of persons who overstay in Macau.
Well, I am surely joking. When a law is proposed, what should first and foremost be addressed are the figures. Has the number of illegals increased? Is crime mostly committed by visitors? In fact, has crime increased? Are visitors the main source of criminal practices?
These are the questions a legislator should consider before even starting to think about proposing a new law or revising existing laws. There is, in my view, a temptation to disfigure Macau of its second system nature. A security state seems to be what some responsible people intend to create – to, well, appear on top of things in the eyes of their bosses. Macau is a free place and we all want it to continue to be. Or not. The population, who are invited to participate in the legislative process, should make their voices heard before it is too late.
One of these days the system may be absorbed and those who were educated and have values constitutionalised in the Basic Law may be caught off guard and consider that what was promised is no longer in place. The temptation of advancing more than what society pretends in the history books is called disruption. Exactly contrary to the spirit of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. Not understanding this is serious, as it is not understanding the foundations of our Special Administrative Region.
If, as I write in this virtual world, the objective is thus, do please let the population know. We will then better understand the hunt that is in place and the race to be the favourite son.
