Government sets up Policy Research Office

A Policy Research Office supervised directly by the Chief Executive will be established on 1 January 2011, it was gazetted in the Government Bulletin today, Duties of the Office would include conducting research in the areas of politics, legislation, economy, social and culture, and the evaluation and follow up on the implementation of public policies. The Office has to provide all necessary information and consultation to the Chief Executive. All governmental departments are obliged to co-operate with the Office when requested. The Office would be led by a director and two deputy directors: the posts can be filled by current civil servants. The Bulletin also gazetted the Chief Executive’s approval of the Code for the Principle Officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region which is aimed at building a management team with vision, accountability and effectiveness. The principles of the Code include are: - The principle officials, in exercising their duties, have to implement the policy with justice. - Actively advance the effectiveness management of their subordinates. - Maintain the government’s credibility and to maintain their integrity and moral at the highest standard. - Prohibit any direct or indirect use of official information to obtain personal interests, and - Prohibit from serving other government post or public duty concurrently unless assigned. The General Rules for the Principle Officials also gazetted stated that all principle officials have to be responsible to the Chief Executive and they would not have to bear any civil, financial and criminal liabilities in the discharge of their duties. They are prohibited from abusing their power and ought to prevent conflict of interest. Meanwhile, the bulletin also gazetted the General Rules for the Director and Chief, suggesting that they work with politeness and fairness.