Introduction to Legal Regime of Declaration of Assets and Interests

The mechanism of public servants' declaration of properties and interests was established in 1998, under which public office holders, staff of the Public Administration and their spouses or cohabiting partners are required to declare their assets and interests.

In order to further perfect the declaration system, contribute to the implementation of the Macao SAR Government's policy to build a "sunshine government", enhance the transparency and integrity of the Public Administration, strengthen the supervisory mechanism and meanwhile fulfil its obligation to comply with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the CCAC began the review and amendment of the system in early 2010. By taking reference from the experiences of many advanced countries and regions, the CCAC completed the "Comparison of Legal Systems Governing Declaration of Properties and Interests" for public reference and consultation. In the first half of 2011, the anti-graft agency put forward the amendment proposal to the Macao SAR government. Such proposal introduced a mechanism to publicly disclose the assets and interests of some officials in the system. In 2012, the bill to amend Law no. 11/2003 (Declaration of Assets and Interests) was submitted to the Legislative Assembly, which unanimously approved the bill on 3rd January 2013, showing that the amendment gained wide support in society. The new law, renamed the Legal Regime of Declaration of Assets and Interests, entered into force on 22nd April 2013.

The new law requires that officials holding the rank of Deputy Director or higher, including the Chief Executive and principal officials, members of the Legislative Assembly, judges and public prosecutors, members the Executive Council, Chiefs of cabinet, Directors and Deputy Directors of public services or holder of positions deemed equivalent, shall publicly disclose Part VI of the declaration, which covers pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests and positions held in non-profit organisations.