This major reshuffle, characterized by technocratic expertise, could see Wong as the sole survivor of the deep restructuring. The list positions him in the Administration and Justice Office, serving as a link to the Executive Council and as a substitute for the Chief Executive in his absence.
At 56 years old and with a decade of governmental experience, he is seen as a significant ally to the new Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, with whom he has a close and “totally loyal” relationship, according to sources familiar with the two officials.
The two women mentioned in the list have worked closely with Chui Sai On, the Chief Executive from 2009 to 2019. O Lam, granddaughter of Ke Lin—the first director of the Kiang Wu Hospital and a prominent figure in the Special Operations Section of Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China—led Chui Sai On’s office and was a strong candidate for the Social Affairs and Culture portfolio. However, she may now be headed for the Economy and Finance Office.
Sónia Chan, former Secretary for Administration and Justice, has traditional support, particularly from the Women’s Association, but a source from PLATAFORMA indicates that, having been appointed in January to the Public Assets Management and Supervision Bureau (DSGAP), she “has no intentions of leaving.” Another alternative could be Helena de Senna Fernandes, the current Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director.
The replacement for Raimundo do Rosário could be resolved with the current Director of Public Works, Lam Wai Hou. For the Security portfolio, Chan Tsz King, the Commissioner Against Corruption, is emerging as a credible alternative to another government option: Ho Veng On, the SAR’s Commissioner of Audit, who had been considered for Economy and Finance.
Notably, this list—and other alternatives—does not feature a single businessman from the local influential business class or heirs of the most influential families in Macau.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that André Cheong, the current Secretary for Administration and Justice, is being nominated for Commissioner of Audit, while Judge Lou Ieng Ha, President of the Court of First Instance Judge Panel is being considered for the Commission Against Corruption.
