The Government has proposed setting up a National Security Committee to coordinate Macao’s effort in safeguarding national security and protecting the well-being of the community.

The plan was announced by the Spokesperson of the Executive Council, Mr Leong Heng Teng, during a press conference on Monday (27 August). 

The Executive Council has completed its discussions regarding an administrative regulation that would allow for the creation of the National Security Committee of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The administrative regulation would become effective 30 days after being published in the Macao SAR Gazette.

The responsibilities of the Committee would include: coordinating work in relation to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and national development interests; implementation of relevant instructions and orders from the Chief Executive; assessing and advising on the situation in Macao regarding national security and social stability; cooperation in formulating policies in Macao related to national security; and coordination of work to advance Macao’s legal system in relation to national security.

As envisaged under the plan, the Chief Executive would act as the Committee’s chairman, and the Secretary for Security as its vice chairman. Other members would comprise: the Secretary for Administration and Justice; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security; the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau; the Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force; and an adviser respectively from the Chief Executive’s Office and from the Office of the Secretary for Security.

The plan also suggested the establishment of an Office of the National Security Committee, which would support and follow up on decisions made by the Committee, as well as coordinate within public departments work on legislation relating to the topic of national security and enforcement of such legislation.

The Office’s chief and deputy chief would be the Secretary for Security and the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service respectively.