The former President of the Court of Final Appeal, Sam Hou Fai, announced Wednesday he will run for the sixth term of the Macau Chief Executive election.
In a press conference, he emphasized that “having only the gaming industry dominate” is detrimental to Macau’s future development and that the SAR needs moderate and diversified economic development.
Sam explained that his decision to stand in the election was made after careful consideration and discussion with his family.
The press conference lasted for about an hour, with Sam stressing that the Macau SAR Government has to answer the question of appropriate diversification of Macau’s economy, and that there is no turning back as Macau must continue to develop in an appropriate and diversified manner.
“After the return of sovereignty, Macau held an open tender for the gaming industry, and the tourism and gaming industry developed rapidly afterwards, but for a period of time, it developed in an uncontrolled manner,” he said.
Sam added that the disorderly development of the gaming industry has affected Macau’s manpower resources and the development of employment opportunities for young people.
“The Central Government’s proposal for Macau to develop its economy in an appropriately diversified manner is a mandatory question for the Macau SAR Government, not a question of choice,” he added.
“No matter how difficult and hard the future may be, we have to do it (economic diversification). Only if we try will there be hope, otherwise society will lose the momentum of development. Economic diversification must move forward, there is no way back.”
According to the schedule of the election, the nomination period for candidates will start on Thursday 29 August and last until 12 September. However, Sam is currently the only person to have announced that he will run in the election, to be held on 13 October.
Sam has been the President of Macau’s Court of Final Appeal since the handover of Macau on 20 December 1999, and has also served as the Chairman of the Judges’ Committee and a member of the Independent Commission for the Recommendation of Judges, among other duties.
Questions around his candidacy include that he does not have any past experience in public administration and economics.
