The exclusion of the pro-democracy camp from parliamentary elections a year ago left Macau “with no way out” for the growing discontent of the population during the current Covid-19 outbreak, one of the disqualified candidates said.
On July 9, 2021, the commission that manages the elections to the Legislative Assembly (LA) excluded five lists and 21 candidates, 15 of whom were pro-democracy, for “not defending the Basic Law of the Macao SAR”. [Região Administrativa Especial de Macau]” and not be “faithful to the Macao SAR”.
The decision alienated the pro-democracy camp.who held four seats in the AL, left parliament with only two voices more critical of the government, including that of the Portuguese José Pereira Coutinho.
“The inspection mission that the Legislative Assembly should have had is completely gone,” Leon Ieong, a professor of politics at the University of Macau, told Lusa.
THE AL “is now playing the role of a loyal opposition”Sonny Lo Shiu-Hing answered.
The political commentator told Lusa that the pro-democracy deputies “were incisive in identifying issues and politicians,” but assured that “it is still possible to hear different voices” in parliament.
Giving as an example the new law that regulates the gaming industry, Sonny Lo defended that “the deputies discussed the proposal in a rational and profound manner and there was some criticism from the government.”
One of the excluded pro-democracy candidates, Scott Chiang Meng Hin, disagrees: “The casino law was passed in a relatively short period of time, with little discussion and huge consequences. I don’t see how parliament played any role in a historic decision for Macau.”
The activist told Lusa that there are still more critical deputies in the AL, but that “the The environment has completely changed and their job has become more difficult.”
“Current parliamentarians naturally tend to be more cautious in their actions and public comments than before, because if they are openly critical they may risk disqualification,” admitted Sonny Lo.
Several deputies contacted by Lusa refused to comment on the impact of exclusion from the pro-democracy camp.
Caution is even more necessary for “potential future candidates or unqualified candidates,” added Sonny Lo.
Leon Ieong also said that he believed that some of the candidates excluded in 2021 could compete in future elections, with the “precondition of proving their loyalty”.
“According to the usual mentality of Chinese politics, the terms ‘enemy’ and ‘friend’ are relative and changeable,” explained the academic.
One thing that will not change, Leon said, is the certainty that “as in the case of Hong Kong, Macau now has political censorship.”
In addition, the academic stressed, the absence of a real opposition “will also create extra difficulties for the Government to receive the opinions of society.”
“The 30 years of the pro-democracy movement in Macau was an utter failure, but at least we were pretty good as an outlet for people’s concerns,” said Scott Chiang.
An absence that has been aggravated during the current Covid-19 outbreak, added the activist. “People are very frustrated, they’re on the brink of sanity,” she said.
Despite the ban on demonstrations due to the pandemic, last week there was a protest by construction workers, prevented from returning to their homes, in the neighboring city of Zhuhai.
“It is impossible to stop a protest if people are angry enough. Over time, there will be other forms of opposition. In that sense, I’m optimistic,” Scott said.
Source: Observadora
