Macau’s sole candidate for its sixth-term chief executive, ex-judge Sam Hou Fai, has been visiting various neighbourhoods over the past week to listen to people’s views, aiming to gauge public sentiment.
After yesterday’s walkabout in the southern neighbourhoods of the Inner Harbour area, the 62-year-old former president of the Court of Final Appeal (TUI) said that through his efforts over the past few days and in-depth exchanges with the public, he now has a deeper understanding of civil society’s current situation. If elected, Sam said he was confident that he can lead his governing team in “conducting a pulse diagnosis” of civil society and promote the future development of Macau.
“Pulse diagnosis” is a diagnostic technique used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to obtain information about the patient’s condition.
The chief executive election will be held this Sunday at the Forum Macao Complex in Nam Van.
Accompanied by Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM) Chairwoman Ng Siu Lai and other community leaders, Sam exchanged views with residents and shop owners in the areas of Praça de Ponte e Horta (司打口), Rua do Almirante Sérgio (河邊新街) and Largo da Barra (媽閣廟前地), including shops selling traditional pastries, items for worshiping, as well as a Portuguese restaurant and a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong and Macau-style café) to learn more about their business conditions.
Sam asked the shop owners about their business. Some of them commented on the ineffectiveness of the National Day holiday in helping boost their turnover, while others also commented on the negative effect of the “Northbound Travel for Macau Vehicles” scheme on their operations.
The “Northbound Travel for Macau Vehicles” scheme was launched by the local and mainland governments at the beginning of last year, allowing Macau residents to drive their cars in Guangdong Province, i.e., north of Macau.
After his walkabout, Sam told reporters: “I have frequented the Praia do Manduco (下環街) area for over 20 years and am quite familiar with it.” He also described the neighbourhood as safe and orderly, noting that although the area is still affected by drainage-related roadworks, it is slated to be completed next year and was expected to alleviate flooding in the area.
Sam pointed out that besides visiting various local communities and holding a public hearing with residents, he has also been in contact with people from different industries and sectors, actively collecting information to understand Macau’s overall political, economic, and social development.
Compared to his previous work at the Court of Final Appeal (TUI), he noted that he has now a deeper understanding of various aspects of society, including the economy, people’s livelihoods, transportation, and the city’s overall urban planning. “If I am elected, I am confident of leading the new governing team in “conducting a pulse diagnosis” of civil society and working together to strive for Macau’s development,” he underlined.
Sam said that since announcing his candidacy for the sixth-term Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) chief executive (CE) post in August, he has made every effort to communicate with the public in various ways within a limited period of time. He said he hoped that local community organisations can convey his policy ideas to the general public, so that more people can understand his political vision.
Macau’s chief executive candidate Sam Hou Fai visits the southern part of the Inner Harbour neighbourhood during yesterday’s walkabout. – Photos: William Chan
Sam Hou Fai talks to a business owner near Largo da Barra (“Barra Square”) yesterday.
