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Macau's culture minister, Fernando Chui Sai-on, yesterday declared his candidacy to become the city's new leader, a day after the government set July 26 as the date for the chief executive election. 
Dr Chui, secretary for social and cultural affairs, said he would fight corruption if he won the top job, while admitting 'mistakes and negligence' during his 10 years in office.
Chief prosecutor Ho Chio-meng,  who is seen as another favourite, remained silent yesterday over whether he would run. 
Predicting that Dr Chui would probably be 'the one',  an analyst yesterday said his quick announcement showed great confidence.
Dr Chui said if he won the election, he would answer the public's call for clean government, saying: 'In future, building a clean administration will be the basis for governance.' 
A 1.4-billion-pataca overrun for the East Asian Games in 2005 reduced the popularity of Dr Chui, who was chief organiser of the Games. 
Asked about the overspending,  he said he had been learning from mistakes and was open to criticism. 'In my 10 years in office, I have often reflected on my mistakes,' he said. 'I am very happy to listen to criticism ... I'll gather people's views for reform and innovation.'
Under Macau law, a principal official is barred from running for chief executive unless he or she resigns before the nomination period. The nomination period is from June 12 to 23, with forms available from May 25.
A candidate has to secure at least 50 nominations from the 300-member Election Committee to run.
Dr Chui said he would begin to set up an election office after Beijing approved his resignation. He said so far he had asked four people to join his campaign - a personal assistant, two secretaries and a driver. A source said Zhong Yi Seabra de Mascarenhas, an assistant to Dr Chui, might become his campaign manager. 
Dr Chui said he had not talked to the central government about the chief executive election.
He and Dr Ho are widely seen as being of similar standing in Beijing's eyes, with comparable chances of winning the election. Dr Chui comes from one of Macau's few ruling clans. From a less prominent family, Dr Ho has nonetheless impressed the public with his handling of Macau's biggest graft scandal.
Political commentator Larry So Man-yum  said Dr Chui's quick candidacy showed his great confidence in winning.
'He has come out right after the election date was set,' said Professor So, of Macau Polytechnic Institute. 'Such a quick move indicates he has secured most of the 50 votes he requires from the 300-member Election Committee.'
A source close to Dr Chui said he was a cautious person with little appetite for taking risks.
Professor So said Dr Ho might not pick up the gauntlet if the central government decided against backing him. 'The chance of Ho running is very small.' 
An Election Committee member, who declined to be named, said he had received no hints from Beijing on who to vote for, so he had a problem in deciding whose side to take.
Veteran Macau observer Camoes Tam Chi-keung said Dr Chui would win if Election Committee members were allowed to vote freely, because they were more closely linked to him than Dr Ho.
The winner in the July poll will serve a five-year term.



Culture minister moves first in race for Macau's top job