Sweeping changes for Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui's second term
Chief executive replaces all top officials in move seen as a response to growing crises in Macau - and as a message from Beijing to Hong Kong
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 02 December, 2014, 2:13am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 02 December, 2014, 2:13am
Raquel Carvalho and Niall Fraser
Dr Fernando Chui is facing a series of crises. Photo: Dickson Lee
Macau Chief Executive Dr Fernando Chui sai-on has named an all-new team of top officials for his crucial second term as city leader in what is being seen as the most significant political shake-up since the former Portuguese enclave returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999.
Chui - faced with shrinking casino revenues, slumping GDP growth and growing grass-roots calls for social and political change - rung the changes yesterday by replacing all five policy secretaries, most of whom he inherited from his predecessor Edmund Ho Hau-wah.
The chief executive also appointed a new anti-corruption chief, just 18 days before President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive to lead celebrations for the 15th anniversary of the handover. Xi's "tigers and flies" anti-graft drive has been seen as key to the slowdown in Macau's casino-driven economy.
The reshuffle and the appointment of two officials closely involved in recent moves to stymie the city's nascent pro-democracy movement also sparked speculation that Beijing was sending a message to Hong Kong that it was running out of patience over the Occupy turmoil. The central government has the final say on all appointments.
The new policy secretaries are expected to take their oath of allegiance before Xi on December 19.
"It's a big change in the leadership of the next government, which is surprising. It shows that Chui wants to change government practices and policies," said Eilo Yu Wing-yat, a University of Macau public administration scholar.
A well-placed source with ties to the government said: "If the situation in Hong Kong wasn't as it is … we might have seen a slightly different team emerge. This is a landmark moment for Macau as the 15th anniversary approaches, but it also sends a clear message to Hong Kong."
Sonia Chan Hoi-fan becomes secretary for administration and justice and the team's only woman. As head of the Personal Data Protection Office, she helped contain an Occupy-style referendum on democracy in August. Judiciary Police director Wong Sio-chak, who also helped stymie the poll, becomes security chief.
Figures released yesterday by the city's gaming regulator showed casino revenue fell 19.6 per cent year-on-year last month. Last week it was revealed that Macau had suffered its first year-on-year economic contraction since 2009.
Executive Council member Lionel Leong Vai-tac, tipped as a rising star, is given the task of addressing the slump as secretary for economy and finance.
Yu said Sonia Chan's appointment might lead to human rights concerns, as rights might not be her priority.
Social affairs commentator Leung Kai-yin said improving the political system and increasing transparency should be priorities. Chui faced Macau's biggest protests in decades earlier this year, forcing him to withdraw a plan to give lucrative retirement perks to top officials.
Another appointee, transport and public works chief Raimundo do Rosário, returns after 15 years as Macau's representative in Lisbon, Brussels and Geneva. While his time away may trouble some, Yu said it could be a plus in a job held until recently by the disgraced Ao Man-long, now serving a long jail term for graft.
As the national graft crackdown continues, André Cheong Weng-chon becomes commissioner against corruption.
"They are personalities with vast experience. It's a relatively younger team," Chui said.
