Sam Hou Fai (Sam) 2024-2029

ab25 The idea of university–industry partnership is a good one raised by Sam, but this requires authorities and leaders from all Macau universities to sit down and discuss with the government and private-sector corporations of not only Macau but also the mainland, notably those in the Greater Bay Area, how scientific research will be conducted, how Chinese medicine will be “westernised” and advanced further through innovative research, and how new patents will be developed in the South China region. Furthermore, Sam Hou Fai has encouraged Macau’s casino concessionaires to invest in the In-Depth Cooperation Zone, but the details will have to be delineated so that the mobilisation of private-sector corporations will be truly effective in Macau’s quest for economic diversification. Eighth, given that a huge portion of Macau’s revenues still comes from the gaming industry, casino capitalism will remain the mainstay of the local economy. As such, it is wise for Sam Hou Fai’s policy address ...

 VER TAMBÉM REAÇÔES dec24 I hear a lot of scepticism about having a judge as the SAR’s Chief Executive. Let me clear the air: more than just donning a robe and banging a gavel, Sam Hou Fai has been heading one of the three branches of government, all of which are equally important in any society. So, he is essentially making a lateral move, though I reckon he will now wear a heavier hat. If anything, the judiciary in Macau has been a smooth, well-oiled machine, which I am proud to assert based on real experience (my only criticism being the backlog of pending civil cases). Moreover, the advantage of having an executive is in bringing in people with diverse expertise, provided one gives direction, chooses the right team, and steers the ship thereafter. Now, let’s talk about challenges in the executive branch – they’re significant, like trying to get anywhere on a Friday afternoon in Macau. But since the incoming Chief Executive seems open to listening to the populace, allow this hum...

out24 CMJ Foi um recentíssimo Chefe do Executivo (indigitado) que ontem respondeu a perguntas de jornalistas, momentos depois de ter sido eleito pela Comissão. Havia alguma expectativa para ver como se comportaria, na medida em que não se trata de alguém com conhecida experiência política. Pelo contrário, Sam Hou Fai distinguiu-se no papel de presidente do Tribunal de Última Instância, cujo desempenho implica distanciamento dos meandros político-sociais e ainda mais dos económicos. Além disso, mostrou sempre ser uma pessoa reservada, portanto com eventuais dificuldades na comunicação política. Mas não foi bem assim. Uma das notas positivas que imediatamente se deve registar é que, nas suas respostas, Sam Hou Fai não se limitou a repetir “palavras de ordem”, vulgo slogans, algo que ultimamente nos faz desligar o receptor. Pelo contrário, tendo passado rapidamente pelo “um país, dois sistemas” e toda a parafernália de conceitos adjacentes, pareceu improvisar as respostas, demonstrando qu...