Events in Macau are following a depressingly familiar pattern. After the latest bombing, which injured police and journalists, came yesterday's detention of several suspected triad members. The coming days may see another temporary crackdown on organised crime. But then, on past form, nothing more will happen until after the next attack.
Any pledges of vigorous action should be seen in this context. It is not as if there is any difficulty finding the culprits. Macau is a small place; everyone knows who is behind these outrages. When the authorities finally decide to act they know exactly where to go, as shown by the arrest of alleged triad chief 'Broken Tooth' Wan Kuok-koi within hours of a failed attempt to blow up the enclave's police chief.
But such belated determination is undermined by previous years of neglect when the authorities did nothing to gather evidence on alleged gangland leaders. Arrests are easily made, but securing convictions will be more difficult. Some charges against 'Broken Tooth' have already been dropped due to lack of evidence, and he has so far been convicted of nothing more than illegally entering casinos.
At this late stage, it is unrealistic to expect the departing Portuguese administration to improve evidence-gathering capabilities without some help. Guangdong's Public Security Bureau should be encouraged to share intelligence on known criminals. But the harsh evidence-gathering techniques and methods of dealing with arrested suspects used on the mainland would never be acceptable in Macau.
Hong Kong has practical experience in how to fight crime within the framework of its justice system. Now that violence in Macau has begun to affect the SAR with several local journalists injured in this latest attack, it is time to take a more active approach in offering the expertise of the Hong Kong police to assist Macau in a more permanent crackdown against organised crime.