Macau leader's monthlong leave spurs many questions

Wallis Wang

Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng's long absence has been raising eyebrows among the gaming hub's political circle after he announced he would extend his holiday another 16 days.

Ho, 57, was due to resume work yesterday after he announced a 13-day leave on June 21. But the Macau administration said he will take another 16 days off until July 19.

During Ho's absence, Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong Weng-chon has been the acting chief executive.

Ho last appeared in public on June 20, when he officiated the 15th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum at the Venetian Macao.

On the same day, Ho met board members of the Yabuli China Entrepreneurs Forum, including forum chairman and banker Charles Li Xiaojia.

While on leave, Ho issued statements on June 28 and July 1, thanking the central government for raising the tax-free shopping quota of mainland tourists to Macau and the new travel policies benefiting non-Chinese permanent residents of Macau.

Ho's long holiday, ahead of the chief executive election in October, has sparked questions.

Following Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong's trip in May, Ho said the central government did not talk to him about running for another five-year term.

Ho, Macau's third leader since December 2019, also did not mention if he would seek reelection.

But Ho revealed that Xia had cited the existing problems in Macau and made suggestions.

"It's impossible that the government is 100 percent satisfied with the work," Ho said.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Ho's leave is not necessarily related to the election.

However, Ho might have to explain his long absence to avoid rumors, he said.

Hong Kong lawmaker of New People's Party Adrian Ho King-hong, nephew of former Macau leader Edmund Ho Hau-wah, said it is normal for officials to take leave.

He added that Ho faces a heavy workload and it is a good for him to take some rest.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com