BEIJING: The Macao Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a bill on the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region, providing a stronger legal foundation for the body, which was previously governed by an administrative regulation.
The SAR government and legislators said the law will enhance the effectiveness of national security efforts in the city, helping safeguard economic development and public well-being.
The Macao SAR government established the committee in 2018 through an administrative regulation. Chaired by the chief executive, the body is responsible for a range of duties related to safeguarding national security.
The bill, submitted to the Legislative Assembly on Feb 3, was passed in general discussion and voting on Feb 10. It focuses on regulating the committee’s operation.
According to a government statement, the law refines provisions regarding the committee’s nature, duties, powers, composition and operations. It also authorizes the committee to determine whether matters involve national security interests and to make binding decisions.
The law stipulates that the committee’s decisions and opinions are not subject to appeal or legal proceedings, and that its work shall be free from interference by any entity or individual in the SAR.
It will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Macao SAR, the statement said.
Following the passage, a government spokesperson expressed gratitude to the Legislative Assembly, various sectors of society and Macao residents for their “strong sense of responsibility and steadfast patriotism”. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
