The line-up of Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On’s new government will be officially announced on Friday, informed sources told The Macau Post DailyTuesday.
The sources, who asked to remain anonymous, said the line-up would “not be a big surprise” since the complete list was leaked earlier this month to the local press. “This name list is the worst kept secret in Macau’s history,” one of the sources said tongue-in cheek.
As reported by The Macau Post Daily on November 11, the new line-up means that all the government’s five policy secretaries will change, while one of Macau’s three commissioners will stay on.
According to the leaks, Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Chan Lai Man will be replaced by Chan Hoi Fan, director of the Personal Data Protection Office (GPDP). The latter’s appointment means that the administration and justice portfolio will remain in female hands.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam Pak Yuen will be succeeded by businessman-cum-Executive Council (Exco) member Lionel Leong Vai Tac. ExCo is the government’s top advisory body.
Secretary for Security Cheong Kuoc Va will be replaced by Wong Sio Chak, director of the Judiciary Police (PJ). Wong holds the rank of assistant public prosecutor-general.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U will be succeeded by Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Chui’s chief-of-cabinet. Tam is widely seen as Chui’s right-hand man. Cheong, a former anti-graft commissioner, has been in his post for five years.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Lau Si Io will be replaced by Raimundo do Rosario, Macau’s representative in Lisbon, Brussels and Geneva. Rosario, a member of the city’s Macanese minority, has been based in the Portuguese capital since 2000. Lau was appointed to his current post in February 2007, following the arrest of his predecessor Ao Man Long for corruption, money laundering and other crimes in December 2006. Ao is serving a 29-year prison term.
Commissioner Against Corruption Vasco Fong Man Chong will be succeeded by Cheong Weng Chon, director of the Legal Affairs Office (DSAJ). Fong is a judge of the Court of Second Instance (TSI).
Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Jose Proença Branco will be succeeded by Ma Io Kun, commander of the Public Security Police (PSP).
Director-General of the Macau Customs Service Choi Lai Hang will be replaced by his current deputy Lai Man Wa. Lai will be the first female head of Macau’s customs service which doubles as the city’s coastguard.
Public Prosecutor-General Ho Chio Meng will be succeeded by Ip Son Sang, a collegiate bench president of the Court of First Instance (TJB).
Commissioner of Audit Ho Veng On will remain in his post which he has held for five years.
Florinda Chan, Francis Tam, Ho Chio Meng, Choi Lai Hang and Cheong Kuoc Va have been in their posts since the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) on December 20, 1999. Proença Branco was appointed to his post in September 2000.
Macau’s principal officials are appointed by the central government (State Council) in Beijing on the recommendation of Macau’s chief executive. According to Article 63 of the Macau Basic Law, all principal officials must be permanent residents holding Chinese nationality who have ordinarily resided in Macau for a continuous period of at least 15 years.
The chief executive and his new team will be sworn in on December 20, when Chui’s second and constitutionally final consecutive five-year term starts, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
Government broadcaster TDM reported earlier this month that President Xi Jinping will attend the anniversary celebrations.(macaunews/macaupost)
