A call for clean government and universal suffrage will ring out in the streets of Macau when thousands march on December 20 - the eighth anniversary of Macau's handover to China. The march is widely tipped to be Macau's largest demonstration in decades, with unionists predicting a turnout of 10,000 to 20,000. Spearheading the rally will be lawmaker Antonio Ng Kuok-cheong, a veteran democracy activist and the 'ballot king' of two legislature elections. 'Yes, we have double-digit gross domestic product growth, luxury casinos and residential towers, but what is it that Macau really needs?' Mr Ng asked. Its biggest graft trial, in which former secretary for transport and public works Ao Man-long battles 76 counts of bribe taking, money laundering, abuse of power, unjustified wealth and inexact asset declarations, has drawn public attention on the need for a clean government and greater democracy. People's patience was running out for Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah to deliver on his democracy pledge, Mr Ng said. Mr Ho had promised last year to start a public consultation on Macau's democracy road map this year. A 'democracy forum' will be hosted at Iao Hon Park in the city's low-income northern district shortly before the rally begins in the afternoon. Breadline workers, who were the main force in previous protests, are expected to rally under Mr Ng's flag and demand that they benefit from the economic boom. Tang Kuok-leong of the Macau Workers Union estimates that 20,000 people from all walks of life will take part in the demonstration. 'Graft has become a public enemy. Workers increasingly see it as the root cause for their problem - threats from illegal workers and imported labourers,' Mr Tang said. Mr Tang's union, among a few other labour groups, was behind the Labour Day rally and the National Day protest this year. On May 1, more than 6,000 people staged a violent protest that left 21 police officers and dozens of demonstrators injured. An officer fired shots into the air during clashes and one bullet hit a motorcyclist who was not taking part in the rally. Despite the city's surging economy, the casino-driven boom has brought with it unwanted side effects, and a widening wealth gap has left many residents embittered. Annual GDP per capita soared by 101 per cent to 227,500 patacas between 1999 and last year, but median annual earnings increased by only 37 per cent to 80,400 patacas. Teachers and social workers, who joined the National Day rally, may come out in small groups again. There will also be heritage activists calling for the government to protect a historic lighthouse and reform an opaque urban planning system. High-rise buildings are threatening to obscure the world heritage Guia Lighthouse, which has recently drawn the attention of Unesco and cultural authorities in Beijing. Activist Lee Kin-yun is mobilising motorcyclists to repeat their National Day rally against a 'bad' traffic law and a lack of parking spaces. Meanwhile, an array of festive activities is being planned by the government to mark the handover occasion. A large concert featuring Hong Kong pop singers will take place in the afternoon.