Macau’s chief justice may run for city’s top job after incumbent bows out
- Top judge Sam Hou-fai says ‘position of chief executive is a noble one … I always hold a strong desire to serve Macau’
Macau’s chief justice has said he is considering running for the city’s top job in October, a day after incumbent Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng announced he would not seek a second term due to health concerns.
Sam Hou-fai, president of Macau’s Court of Final Appeal, said on Thursday he was considering throwing his hat into the ring.
“The position of chief executive is a noble one, dedicated to serving both the Macau Special Administrative Region and its residents. I always hold a strong desire to serve Macau,” Sam said.
“I am considering. I will make a public announcement if there are further developments.”
Sam’s name has been floated as one of the likely successors to the top post after Ho gave up his re-election bid.
Born in Zhongshan, Guangdong province in 1962, Sam became a solicitor in mainland China before studying law in Portugal. He returned to Macau in 1993, became a local judge in 1997 and was appointed as head of Macau’s top court in December 1999 when the city returned to Chinese rule.