Briefs | Sou, Chiang trial resumes on May 14

The judge overseeing the case of two former presidents of the New Macau Association, Sulu Sou and Scott Chiang – who have been presented with the charge of aggravated disobedience after a street protest – has ordered a resumption of the trial that had been interrupted. The trial was halted before the first hearing due to different processes involving the suspects running simultaneously. Now the judge has ordered the process to resume, and a re-run of the first hearing has been scheduled for May 14. The judicial process had been interrupted several times, including once at the Legislative Assembly in order to decide whether the mandate of lawmaker Sou should be suspended, so as to allow the suspect to be able to speak in court.

Chui Sai On to attend Boao Forum

Chief Executive Chui Sai On will lead a delegation to Hainan Province, today and tomorrow, to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018, with the theme “An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity.” While in Hainan, Chui is scheduled to meet with officials from the various provinces and municipalities represented at the forum. Meanwhile, the Government Information Bureau informed that Secretary for Economy and Finance Leong Vai Tac, will also be at the forum to attend “The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” panel. Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sonia Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Chui is away.

Lionel Leong acknowledges possibility of running for CE

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong does not discard the possibility of running for the position of government leader in 2019, when a new Chief Executive (CE) will be chosen to take the place of Chui Sai On. During an interview to TDM radio show on Saturday, Leong said that he has not yet considered the issue, but does not rule out the possibility of “assuming other [governance] duties in the future,” opening the pathway to a long-discussed candidacy in the position currently held by Chui.  “Many journalists asked me before about this possibility [of assuming other duties] and I always answered: if it is helpful for the Country, if its helpful for Macau, and if I’m considered suitable for such a position, I will put all my efforts to perform such a role in a good manner and to develop positive work,” Leong said.