TNAG-1869-FCO40-2657-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1989 — Page 140

9.

Political

Groups:

10.

Judicial

System:

indirectly, serve for three years.

The Assembly elects its President from among its members, by secret vote.

There are no political parties but a number of civic associations exist. The three represented in the Legislative Assembly are: the conservative Asociacao para a Defesa dos Interesses de Macau (ADIM), the Centro Democrático de Macau (CDM) and the Grupo

Independente de Macaenses (GIMA), an independent group.

Courts of First Instance. These administer the Legal Code of metropolitan Portugal. Cases may be finally referred to the Court of Second Instance and the Supreme Court in

Lisbon.

11.

DEFENCE:

The internal Security Force of 2,000 includes a paramilitary force of 150 men, a police force and a fire brigade. The Commander of the Security Force is Portuguese, as are a number of officers. Most of the NCOS and enlisted men are local Chinese. Enlistment is voluntary for Chinese residents, but there is compulsory military service of one year for Portuguese living in the

territory.

The co-ordination of security is in the hands of the Higher Council for Security, presided over by the Governor. The Council consists of the five Government Secretaries, the Commander, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Security Force, and three deputies elected by the Legislative Assembly from among its members.