Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said yesterday that the Macau Customs Service and Public Security Police (PSP) have strengthened cooperation in their joint fight to stop people entering Macau from Hong Kong illegally, while only occasionally there have been a few cases of mainlanders entering Macau illegally.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s meeting of the legislature’s 1st Standing Committee, Wong said that an increase in the number of illegal entries during the COVID-19 pandemic would not only affect the local economy, but would also be a loophole in the government’s control and prevention measures of the disease. That’s why, Wong said, the Macau Customs Service is working with the Public Security Police to stop illegal entries in Macau.
Wong also said that as a result of the pandemic, the number of illegal entries has dropped from over 2,000 reported cases in 2015 to just over 300 cases “recently”.
Wong said that residents and tourists were being encouraged to come forward with information on illegal entry offences, adding that anyone providing substantial information to the authorities about illegal entries would be rewarded. However, Wong stressed that the government’s budget is limited and the amounts of the rewards were confidential, unlike in the mainland where the amounts are publicised.
A reporter asked Wong whether the mainland will tighten measures for people allowed to enter Macau, considering that the authorities in the mainland held a special meeting recently to strengthen the fight against cross-border gambling.
Wong responded that that the mainland’s public security authorities take enforcement actions in accordance with the relevant provisions of the mainland’s criminal law and would not normally notify Macau if the latter’s cooperation was not required.
Wong stressed that the local government always informs the central government about any situation that hinders the development of Macau’s tourism industry, and that Macau’s legal system protects the right of mainlanders to visit Macau and gamble here, but only on the condition that they do not violate any mainland laws.
Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s meeting of the legislature’s 1st Standing Committee. Photo: Ginnie Liang
