Macau chief executive 'a majestic job'

Michael Shum

Sam Hou-fai, the president of Macau's top court, will most likely be the sole candidate for the gaming hub's chief executive post, sources said.

However, the 62-year-old justice has said he is still "considering" whether or not to stand in the chief executive election slated for October 13.

This came after Macau leader Ho Iat-seng, 67, said on Wednesday he will not stand for reelection as his health "has not fully recovered."

Ho - Macau's third chief executive - is the first not to seek reelection since the hub's handover in 1999.

Speaking after a public activity yesterday, Sam, who has been president of Macau's Court of Final Appeal since the handover, said everyone knows serving Macau and its residents as chief executive is "a majestic job."

He added: "It has been my wish to serve Macau and some of my friends have encouraged me to continue my contribution to Macau.

"I am still considering whether or not I should stand in the election. I will notify everyone once I have further information."

Macau's chief executive election has traditionally been a one-horse race, with the sole exception being the first after the handover when pro-Beijing independent Edmund Ho Hau-wah defeated another independent, Stanley Au Chong-kit.

Other potential candidates being considered among Macau's pro-establishment politicians include Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong Weng-chon and Secretary for Security Wong Sio-chak.

They have a week to publicly announce whether they intend to run as they are required to resign from public office before the start of the two-week nomination period from August 29 to September 12.

Businessman Jorge Chiang, head of the Macau Institutionalism Association and Macao Lotus Commerce Association, announced his intention to join the race on social media on July 10.

But it is understood that Chiang is an outlier and "highly unlikely" to obtain the minimum 66 nominations he needs from the electoral college.

Ieong Meng-u, a University of Macau assistant professor in politics, said it is hard to comment on potential candidates but believes they will first have to "win" Beijing's trust.

"The central government obviously will be the one to choose the leader of Macau, and even Hong Kong, just like how they do it for the local governments of other mainland cities," Ieong said."But who they are is irrelevant, the only thing that matters is their ability to live up to Beijing's expectations."

Ieong said the interpretation of "Macau people administering Macau" as stipulated in the hub's Basic Law is not "literal" and leaders should be chosen based on their capability to lead for the benefit of all Macanese. Regardless of who is elected, Macau Responsible Gaming Association president Song Wai-kit hopes the new leader will develop a global customer base for casinos.

"Gambling revenue has been increasing in a stable manner, but the change in tourism mode has decreased the number of high-spending customers. With new laws banning private VIP rooms, these kinds of customers are spending less," Song said.

"With no significant increase to employee salaries and manpower, I hope the new administration will provide more support to the gaming sector."

One merchant, Kwok, hopes the new administration will continue its policy to hand out cash to citizens every year.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Ho's son, Jason Ho King-tung, will step down from the hub's science development fund trust committee after finishing his two-year term, citing "personal reasons."

Ho, who has been president of the Macau Technology General Association since 2020, was appointed by his father to the committee in September 2022. Despite his departure, most members, including Eric Ho King-fung - nephew of former leader Edmund Ho - had their terms extended by two years.

Ho appointing his son to the committee had sparked controversy at the time, but the trust insisted the nomination and appointment were done legally.

In that same year, Ho Hoi-kei, the current leader's daughter, was also appointed to a government committee on youth affairs.

Jason Ho, in 1989, and Ho Hoi-Kei, in 1992, were born in Hong Kong.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com