Sulu Sou Ka Hou, the first-ranked candidate of the New Macau Progressives (ANPM) group, the No. 7 on the ballot, said yesterday that his group would push for political reform and other institutional reforms widely regarded as “difficult” tasks in Macau.
Sou’s list comprises five candidates. Ex-lawmaker Paul Chan Wai Chi is the group’s second-ranked candidate.
Four years ago, the New Macau Association (NMA) ran three lists for the direct legislative election. Veteran lawmakers Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San as well as Chan, who was a lawmaker in the 2009-2013 term, are founding members of the association.
Four years ago, Chan was the second-ranked candidate on the list headed by Ng while Sou was the second-ranked candidate on the list headed by Au. The other NMA list was headed by activist Jason Chao Teng Hei. Only Ng and Au were elected.
Au is a former NMA member. Ng is still an NMA member but no longer sits on its board. Ng and Au lead their own electoral groups in this month’s direct legislative election.
Sou spoke to The Macau Post Daily yesterday in Areia Preta when his group was handing out their campaign pamphlets to passers-by.
Sou said his group would put special emphasis on pushing for stronger monitoring of the government as well as political reform, adding that the political system and human rights were fundamental to various issues in civil society. “Fighting for a democratic political system is to ensure improvements in residents’ daily lives,” he said.
Sou said his group was calling for universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2019.
Sou’s group also calls for all members of the legislature to be directly elected in 2021. The former teacher and now full-time activist admitted that this would require amendments to Article 68 of Macau Basic Law, which states that “the majority” of legislators shall be elected.
Sou said there would never be any progress on the political reform front if no one in civil society pushes for reform because of its perceived difficulties.
Sou said his group aimed to win two seats in the September 17 election so that Chan could be a lawmaker again, adding that NMA’s constant monitoring of the government was recognised by its supporters.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokeswoman Lei Hon Nei poses yesterday in a pressroom at the PJ headquarters in Zape. Photo: Debby Seng
