In this latest development on Sunday (13 October), Macau witnessed the election of the sole candidate for chief executive, Sam Hou Fai, who managed to secure an overwhelming 99.5% of the vote. The 62-year-old mainland native, previously serving as the president of the Court of Final Appeal in Macau, emerged victorious with 394 out of 398 votes. The upcoming change in leadership will see Sam taking over from Ho Iat-Seng, who is stepping down due to health reasons in December.
In light of the recent news reports, Sam’s initial criticism of Macau’s gaming industry has been a focal point. In a bold move following his candidacy announcement in August, Sam described the sector as “barbaric,” highlighting the need for stricter regulation and control. He pointed out that the industry has expanded in a disorderly manner and needs to be reined in. Sam stressed that relying solely on the gaming industry does not bode well for Macau’s long-term development and emphasized the necessity of diversifying the city’s economy, aligning with the central government’s directives.
Despite his harsh stance on the gaming industry, Sam recognized the significance of this sector to Macau’s economy. The temporary closure of casinos during the Covid-19 pandemic saw a significant impact, but with the reopening of borders in early 2023, the industry quickly rebounded. In the previous year, gaming revenues soared to MOP183.1 billion, reaffirming the pivotal role of gaming as Macau’s primary industry. Sam acknowledged the importance of ensuring the healthy and sustainable development of the gaming sector moving forward.
In a recent policy address on 28 September, the CEO-elect unveiled his plans to uphold the “1+4” policy initiated by his predecessor, focusing on positioning Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure while nurturing the growth of four new industries. These industries encompass big health, finance, technology, as well as culture, sports, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions). The government recognizes Macau’s unique position as a convention hub, as evidenced by the Forbes Travel Guide naming it the “hotel capital of the world” in 2023, boasting 22 five-star hotels. Notably, many of these luxury hotels are integrated within casino resorts, such as the Galaxy Hotel, Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, Karl Lagerfeld, Londoner Court, and Londoner Hotel.
Despite concerns regarding his lack of political experience, Sam’s appointment has been perceived by some as a strategic move orchestrated by Beijing to steer Macau’s development in the desired direction. However, political commentator Sonny Lo Shiu-Hing believes that with a strong cabinet and experienced advisors, Sam will be able to govern Macau effectively. The importance of the gaming industry to Macau’s economy cannot be understated, with University of Macau assistant professor of government, Ieong Meng U, highlighting that any drastic disruption to the casino sector is unlikely due to its critical role.
As Macau prepares for this upcoming transition in leadership, all eyes are on Sam Hou Fai as he navigates the realms of politics and governance, aiming to strike a delicate balance in propelling Macau towards sustained prosperity and development.
