No problem on crime, says ex-leader

Portuguese president Jorge Sampaio yesterday took time out from a state visit to South Africa to express concern over the latest wave of gang violence to hit Macau.

But a former president, Mario Soares, finishing a visit to the enclave, contradicted him by saying there was no major problem with crime in Macau.

President Sampaio's intervention reflects growing fears among the enclave's police and officials that recent attacks are a blatant challenge to the authorities.

Speaking in Pretoria where he was due to meet President Nelson Mandela, Mr Sampaio spoke of the necessity to clamp down on crime. 'I hope efficient steps will be taken to solve the causes of crime in Macau. I hope we can resolve these problems efficiently,' the Portuguese news agency Lusa quoted him as saying.

But the worsening situation prompted Governor General Vasco Rocha Vieira to issue a statement yesterday. He said new laws, which come into effect on Monday, giving police wide powers to investigate, use informers and protect witnesses showed the Government's determination to combat organised crime.

But speaking in Hong Kong after visiting Macau, Mr Soares denied Macau was facing a crime problem and accused the media of misrepresenting the situation.