Having extended his leave of absence for a third time, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng is now expected to resume duties on 30 July – following 39 consecutive days out of the office – according to the latest update from the Government Information Bureau.
That statement, issued on Saturday in response to media enquiries, confirmed that Ho had undergone “routine medical check-up exams and received related medical treatment” during his time off. It also noted that the Chief Executive was currently “in good health.”
Ho’s lengthy period of leave had already been fuelling online speculation about whether or not he would run for a second five-year term in the upcoming Chief Executive (CE) election, which could take place in October.
Ho has not publicly confirmed he will be on the ballot, though this is not unusual for Macao – where incumbent leaders tend to announce reelection plans less than two months out from election day.
[See more: Jorge Chiang announces his intention to contest Macao’s Chief Executive election]
Multiple media reports published while Ho has been away implied he would likely run for a second term. An official announcement is expected in mid-August, after voting for places on the CE Election Committee has taken place (Macao’s CE is decided by the 400-member committee made up of individuals representing sectors across the SAR).
Ho went on an initial 13-day leave on 21 June, which was later extended to 19 July. Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon was acting CE during that time, and will continue in the role under the third extension.
The specifics of Ho’s medical treatment have not been disclosed, but it has been reported that he previously suffered from sciatica.
