The government launched a public consultation yesterday on proposed rules and regulations for the new “Legal Regime of Associations.” The rules also propose that the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) oversee all aspects of associations’ operations as a unified authority. According to Wong, only about 60% of the 12,400 associations registered in Macau are active, with the remaining 40% having been inactive or dormant for a long time. New rules propose dissolving associations over security, public order concernsThe government is proposing new mechanisms to dissolve associations whose existence is deemed to threaten national security, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, according to a consultation document on amendments to the “Legal Regime of Associations.” Under the proposal, associations would first receive notice and a period to rectify the issue before losing their legal status.