Judicial independence a core value of Macao, says CE

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that a comprehensive judicial system is indispensable to, and a foundation of, law-based governance. Safeguarding judicial independence and fairness is one of the core values of the community, added Mr Chui. Mr Chui made the remarks this afternoon during the ceremony – held at the Macao Cultural Centre – to mark the start of the 2016/2017 Judicial Year. Since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, judicial bodies have fully adhered to the Basic Law in exercising their powers, ensuring fairness and impartiality in the dispensation of justice. Firmly adhering to the rule of law is a fundamental principle of the Government, said Mr Chui. The Government would spare no effort to produce legislation in a scientific manner; to strengthen law enforcement activity; to abide by the rule of law; and to join hands with the sector and the public to foster better and more efficient governance; thus ensuring Macao is a society based on adherence to law. In his speech, Mr Chui stated the Government continued to provide support for development of local judicial bodies, such as the training of a greater number of legal professionals, and the construction of buildings to house judicial premises. The Government was pushing ahead with plans in Zone B – a land reclamation area – for buildings to house administrative and legal bodies. The President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; the Public Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang; and the President of the Macau Lawyers Association, Mr Jorge Neto Valente, each gave a speech during today’s ceremony. Approximately 400 officials attended the event, including: the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the President of the Independent Committee for the Nomination of Judges, Mr Lau Cheok Va; representatives respectively of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, and the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; principal officials of the Macao SAR; members of the Executive Council; officials of judicial authorities; members of the Legislative Assembly; and other officials of the Macao SAR.