Secretary for Transport and Public Works Lau Si Io said Sunday that anyone suspected of illegally occupying public land faces criminal charges.
He made the remarks to reporters after attending a public event when he was asked by reporters about about a plot of land in Coloane that the government claims has been illegally occupied twice.
According to a statement by the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) yesterday, the government took action in 2011 to repossess a plot of land in Coloane which was being illegally occupied. A year later government officers found the land was illegally occupied again and being used to store containers and construction machines and materials. Meanwhile, government officers recently sent to inspect the plot of land again found that it was still illegally occupied.
Talking to reporters, Lau said that it was a very serious problem because of which the government decided to file a criminal complaint.
“According to current regulations the penalties are more severe now …after receiving an official notice and if [the occupier] continues [to occupy the plot of land] they will face criminal charges,” Lau said, adding that the plot of land is a part of a hill and that its illegal occupation is damaging the hill.
Lau also said that the government had not yet planned how to develop the land as it is a part of the hill, vowing that it would restore the hill once it regains control over the area.(macaunews/macaupost)
