The Macau SAR Government has again announced that Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng will extend his leave of absence, this time to 29 July 2024, during which time Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon will temporarily act as the Chief Executive.
Ho Iat Seng announced his leave of absence in the Gazette on 21 June for 13 days, but on 4 July he announced that his leave of absence would be extended to 19 July for 16 days. However, on 20 July, he again announced that he would be on leave of absence for a further 10 days until 29 July.
Given 2024 is an election year for the position of Macau Chief Executive, and the election is expected to be held in October, the announcement of a further leave of absence has given rise to some questions within the community. Local media has previously reported that the Chief Executive is in good health and plans to run in the upcoming election, for what would be his second five-year term.
The Macau SAR government responded on Saturday, with the Macau Information Bureau (GCS) stating, “The Chief Executive will continue his leave of absence from 20 to 29 July. During his leave of absence, the Chief Executive underwent a routine medical check-up and received the necessary medical treatment and is now in good health.”
There was no explanation as to the nature of the “necessary medical treatment”, nor any clarification as to whether the statement “now in good health” means there was a prior health issue.
In 2018, during his term as President of the Macau Legislative Assembly, Ho took a two-week leave of absence due to sciatica.
