In a press briefing prior to the Five-Year Development plan hearing session, Chief Executive (CE) Fernando Chui Sai On stated that he has not received any “remuneration or interest” by performing the functions of vice chairman on the board of Jinan University whilst CE and President of the Macao Foundation trustees’ council. This statement follows the government’s recent donation of 100 million yuan (MOP123 million/US$15.4 million) to Guangzhou-based Jinan University via the Macao Foundation for its infrastructure projects and other developments, which aroused a public outcry for alleged conflict of interest. Chui Sai On stated he was “invited” to become a member of the Jinan University board, and that although he has many functions his decisions are made “according to the law and regulations.” “I was invited to be a board member of Jinan University and Fujian University, and I do not receive any remuneration or interest by performing these functions,” said Chui Sai On. He added that any financing over MOP500,000 (US$62,549) has to pass through the Macao Foundation trustees’ council – a council he presides over – in order to be evaluated and approved,. “Jinan University has helped Macau immensely with talent cultivation, and according to our data more than 20,000 qualified personnel [from Macau] have been educated by the University, of whom more than half of the qualified personnel are from the health sector. Also, right now there are 1,900 students from Macau enrolled in the university,” the CE stated. According to Foundation data, 20,000 local students have graduated from Jinan University since its establishment and some 1,976 local students were studying in the institute as at the end of November. Freedom of speech After the donation came to public attention, local pan-democracy group New Macau Association launched an online petition urging the MSAR Government to rescind the donation, for the top official to resign, and to give legislators the power to review every grant for public projects that exceeds a certain amount. Four groups have also planned protests for next Sunday in front of the Legislative Assembly Building to urge the government to rescind the donation. When questioned about the protests the Chief Executive stated, “The government defends the right of free speech from the public as long as the protest is legal and safe. The government is always willing to hear the opinions of the public and I’ve also heard voices in favour of the performance of the Macao Foundation. It’s logical everybody who is criticised also wants to be complimented after listening to different opinions.” This week, the Jinan University Macao Alumni Association posted a statement in at least nine local Chinese language newspapers backing the Macao Foundation, stating the donation meets the Foundation’s regulated procedures on granting subsidies.
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