Addressing yesterday’s press conference about his team of top officials, Chief Executive-designate Sam Hou Fai said that his incoming administration will, after taking office, first roll out and implement new measures to tackle issues generally regarded by the population as the most important ones, while also underlining that all his team members, who have been appointed by the central government based on his choices, meet all his requirements for Macau’s top officials.
Sam said that his team of top officials is equipped with extensive managerial experience in public administration while also having a good understanding of Macau’s current social situation and residents’ views in various aspects.
The State Council appointed on Saturday the nine principal officials and the chief public prosecutor of the incoming government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), which will be headed by Sam Hou Fai from December 20 (see another story).
The central government made the appointments of the 10 top officials based Sam’s nominations.
Following their official appointments by the central government on Saturday, Sam formally presented the 10 top officials during the press conference at Government Headquarters yesterday morning.
Sam and his 10 top officials will be sworn in by one of the top leaders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the MSAR.
During the press conference, Sam expressed his gratitude to the central government for its confidence and support as it accepted his nominations for the principal officials of his incoming government and the prosecutor-general (the official title of Macau’s chief public prosecutor).
During yesterday’s press conference, Sam delivered a speech before answering questions from the media, after which the 10 top officials individually delivered their respective speeches and responded to reporters’ questions. The press conference lasted two hours in total.
In his speech, Sam underlined that the 10 top officials fully meet the requirements he previously mentioned as necessary for those serving the positions, including patriotism and love for Macau; holding a holistic view of the nation’s overall development; a commitment to serving the population; team spirit; and governance capability and a sense of shouldering responsibilities, he said.
Sam noted that all his team members come from the public administration, with some of them being principal officials of the current government, while one of them, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak, has even been a principal official since the previous government term which ran between December 2014 and December 2019.
Sam noted that the newcomers to the incoming government’s principal officials are all top officials of bureaus or similar entities, adding that they have a strong professional background, have served civil society for many years in their capacity of various positions, and have gained extensive managerial experience in public administration. Consequently, Sam said, they are all familiar with government operations and have a good understanding of Macau’s current social situation and public sentiment, which he said will help ensuring a smooth transition from the outgoing to the incoming administration.
Sam also underlined that after taking office, his administration will first roll out and implement new measures to tackle issues generally regarded by the population as the most important ones, while also pushing ahead with its key tasks aiming to promote Macau’s long-term development, such as the improvements in the well-being of Macau’s population, appropriate economic diversification, enhancing governance capability, safeguarding national security, and the participation in the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Sam pledged that his administration will strengthen research studies with the aim of gaining a better understanding of Macau’s social situation, and collect residents’ opinions more extensively.
Sam said that his team was determined to resolve the deep-rooted problems that are hindering Macau’s development.
Replying to media questions, Sam said that the composition of his team, i.e., which includes five newcomers to the rank of principal officials, will enable his incoming administration to push ahead with new governance while also continuing with the current measures and policies launched by the current government.
Sam also underlined that the professionalism and characters of his administration’s top officials are widely recognised in civil society.
During the press conference, the officials expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Central People’s Government for their appointments. They also thanked the Chief Executive-designate, for the trust shown in them. They spoke one after another during the press conference.
Reappointed Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon said that in the new government, he would work in line with the philosophy of “Striving Together, Upholding Integrity and Innovating”, in order to refine the MSAR’s legal system for safeguarding national security, as well as enhance the quality of public governance capabilities and governance standards through administrative reforms.
Secretary for Economy and Finance-designate Tai Kin Ip said that he would spare no effort in using his experience and knowledge accumulated over the years in the financial and economic fields to serve the nation and Macau.
Reappointed Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak expressed his commitment to continuing to implement a people-first modern policing model established over the past five years. He also said that he would continue to uphold, in a proactive manner, the holistic view of national security, along with social order and public safety, adding that over the next five years, he would be guided by the principles of “Striving Together, Upholding Integrity and Innovating”, reviewing shortcomings, being vigilant, and taking responsibility.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture-designate O Lam pointed out that work in the social and cultural sector is closely related to people’s livelihoods. The incoming chief executive placed great emphasis on this sector in his policy agenda, demonstrating his high degree of focus. She also said her goal was to achieve a vibrant Macau, a Macau of culture, and a happy Macau, so that the city can achieve high-quality development under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works-designate Raymond Tam Wai Man stressed that the work in the transportation and public works field covers various aspects of civil society and people’s livelihoods. He said he would uphold scientific and innovative thinking, professionalism, and a pragmatic attitude.
Prosecutor-General-designate Chan Tsz King said that he would prioritise upholding national sovereignty, security, and development interests as the highest principles. He would do everything in his power to lead a group of judicial officers to enforce the law rigorously and fairly, ensuring justice.
Commissioner Against Corruption-designate Ao Ieong Seong said that she and her staff would fully cooperate with Sam’s governance philosophy of building a clean, just, efficient, and fair rule-of-law society, and enhance the building of integrity.
Commissioner of Audit-designate Elsie Ao Ieong U said that there was a higher expectation from the general public regarding audit work, especially in terms of performance audits. In the future, she would lead her team with a professional, independent, responsible, and objective attitude, to complete its work.
Reappointed Commissioner General of the Unitary Police Service (UPS) Leong Man Cheong said that he would live up to his mission, strive together with his team, have the courage to shoulder responsibilities, and resolutely fulfil statutory duties.
Macau Customs Service Director-General-designate Adriano Marques Ho vowed to safeguard national security, prevent terrorist activities; combat smuggling; enhance customs clearance capabilities, assist Macau in better integrating into the nation’s overall development; and promote the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Chief Executive-designate Sam Hou Fai (centre) addresses yesterday’s press conference at Government Headquarters, flanked by the 10 top officials of his incoming administration (from left to right), Leong Man Cheong, Ao Ieong Seong, Raymond Tam Vai Man, Wong Sio Chak, André Cheong Weng Chon, Tai Kin Ip, O Lam, Chan Tsz King, Elsie Ao Ieong U, and Adriano Marques Ho. – Photo: Tony Wong
– Photo: GCS
