The Macao SAR Government has made significant personnel changes, with former Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, promoted to Secretary for Administration and Justice while the former Secretary for Administration and Justice, André Cheong, has become a member of the Legislative Assembly, appointed by the Chief Executive.
The government unexpectedly announced these changes on Monday morning. Wong, who had served as Secretary for Security for 10 years, was promoted to Secretary for Administration and Justice. The position of Secretary for Security will be assumed by Procurator-General of the Macau Public Prosecutions Office, Chan Tsz King, while the role of Procurator-General will be filled by President of the Intermediate Court of Macau, Tong Hio Fong.
The government further stated that these personnel appointments and removals had been approved by the State Council.
As for Cheong, he has been appointed by the government as a Chief Executive-appointed legislator, becoming a member of the Legislative Assembly. Having served as Secretary for Administration and Justice since 2019, Cheong was reappointed to the same position when the new Macao SAR Government was formed on 20 December 2024.
This sudden change has drawn widespread attention across Macau, primarily because the city has scarcely ever witnessed a Secretary being abruptly appointed or removed from office without any criminal case being involved.
As the five Secretary positions were appointed when the new government was formed and approved by the State Council, changes during the five-year term are exceptionally rare.
The last instance of a Secretary being removed occurred in 2006 when Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Ao Man Long, was dismissed after being implicated in a major corruption scandal.
Concurrently, this marks the first occasion since the SAR’s return to China that a Secretary has concurrently served as a legislator. However, there is speculation that Cheong’s appointment as a Legislative Assembly member might pave the way for him to run for the position of Legislative Assembly President.
Cheong wielded significant influence during the revision of Macau’s Gaming Law and the gaming concession re-tender process. He is also one of the key people who spearheaded the development of Macau’s gaming industry. He was the Chairman of the Gaming License Tender Committee and was one of the principal officials overseeing amendment to the Gaming Law.
At a press conference concerning Macau’s satellite casinos held on 9 June 2025, Cheong announced on behalf of the government that satellite casinos will not be permitted to renew their contracts with their concessionaires and would instead close.
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