Chui to receive official appointment today

Chui Sai On departed for Beijing yesterday and will receive the official decree of appointment from the Chinese State Council this morning, in recognition of his upcoming five-year term as the fourth Chief Executive of Macau.
Before his departure, Chui Sai On told the media that he has yet to discuss any possible choices for the principal officials of the new government. The CE claimed that he would start choosing his new Secretaries immediately after today’s official appointment.
“Until today [yesterday], I have never discussed with anyone the appointment of the principal officials of public departments. Many friends have asked me [if I have discussed it with the members of] the Executive Council and the Government Policy Research Office, but I have indeed not [discussed it with them],” Mr Chui said.
He added that the choosing of principal officials is a task that a CE “has to do himself.”
“After receiving the appointment decree, I will start working on the task immediately,” he said.
During his trip to Beijing, Chui Sai On will meet senior officials of the central government.
The CE stressed that he will be actively expressing the wish for an extension of the operating hours of the border checkpoints between Macau and the mainland, including the checkpoint at Hengqin.
Moreover, Chui Sai On stressed that he would never conceal the bad news and only announce the good.
“By accepting criticism, criticizing oneself, and confronting the problems – these are the only ways that will lead to solutions. This is my philosophy and I believe it should also be what the government should do,” he said.
Furthermore, the CE commented on the civil referendum and reiterated that it is incompatible with the Basic Law. He also said that he respects freedom of speech, but claimed that people have to obey the law as well. JPL