New Macau Association’s Statement 
 

New Macau Association, NMA thereafter, issues the following statement on the arrest of a netizen posting information and the Procuratorate’s return to further investigation:

1. Everyone has the right to express themselves freely; which includes the right to seek, receive and spread information and thoughts of all kinds, whether it is oral, written, printed, artistic, or any other one chooses. Under the condition one has not obviously broken the law, putting the person who expresses his/her views under arrest, thus causing disturbance to the party, is a misuse of the police power, and a breach of the freedom of speech.
2. NMA strongly condemns the misuse of police power by the Judicial Police, gravely violating netizens’ freedom of speech. Based on the fact that the case has been returned to further investigation, the JP has announced its arrest while there is a lack of evidence. This is not only a threat to those netizens who report facts, express criticism, and expose social injustice, it is also to slay somebody as warning to other criticisms on the Internet.
3. Among those cases concerning Internet forums, those consecutive speeches declaring bombs to set in public places and major events obviously contain intent to threaten public safety and social stability, bearing a critical nature. At the moment, however, the police have not sent any person to the Procuratorate, but they send the party concerning this case to the Procuratorate in a well-publicized manner. The police’s ability in handling cases and making judgment is worrying. 
4. People lack confidence under the Financial Tsunami. The Macau SAR government should strengthen its supervision on high-risk investment apparatus, agency service, the risk of the banking and insurance industries, and establish a stable deposit protection to face the challenge and defend the financial system. The misuse of the police power by suppressing information flow and speech expression only deepens uncertainty and fear, and does no good for social and financial stability.
5. As for public morality, NMA appeals that the public should understand their rights and responsibilities on their speech, and cultivate a discussion culture of based reason, culture and respect to different opinions.