Chui Sai On chooses same team as in 2009 for his campaign

Eva Lou, Vong Hin Fai and Leong Sio Pui

Lawmaker Vong Hin Fai as candidacy representative, Leong Sio Pui as coordinator, and Eva Lou as assistant coordinator – these are not unknown names in Macau’s society. Having been chosen to support Mr Chui Sai On’s candidacy for the Chief Executive post back in 2009, the team now returns to help the CE seek a second term.
During a visit to the campaign office yesterday, Vong Hin Fai stressed that the team is confident in their efforts to gather the highest possible number of nominations in order to re-elect Chui Sai On.
The office, located at Avenida da Praia Grande next to the China Law Building, will be very busy in the coming days, as the ten employees working on Chui’s campaign will be joining forces to gather the necessary nominations.
“Our job is to obtain as many nominations as possible. We are confident [that we will be able to secure] more than 66 of the 400 nominations,” stressed the campaign’s coordinator Mr Leong Sio Pui, whose name was brought up last year as a potential appointed lawmaker.
With a budget ceiling of MOP5 million for the campaign, Vong Hin Fai explained that funds will be primarily used to pay for employees’ salaries; rent (MOP11,000); services provided by Primedia (Eva Lou’s company); and advertising.
He added that, throughout the campaign period held between August 16 and 29, the Chief Executive will share his political platform with Macau’s population, mostly via advertisements in media outlets, which will be published in both Chinese and Portuguese editions. Vong Hin Fai said that the team is considering also providing his political program in English.
Without providing a budget estimate, Vong Hin Fai did note that the budget ceiling has been reduced since 2009. He made the assurance that Chui Sai On’s team is committed to using the budget wisely.
Chui Sai On is only able to campaign between August 16 and 29, and Vong Hin Fai did not elaborate on any campaign activities already planned by the team. Nevertheless, he insisted that the current Chief Executive would listen to the population’s wishes.
When asked to compare the 2014 elections to Chui Sai On’s first electoral campaign in 2009, Vong Hin Fai recognized that, over the last few years, “the expectations and hopes of Macau’s people have grown, becoming more and more demanding.” “As Mr Chui Sai On said yesterday [Tuesday], we will provide answers to people’s expectations, improving their livelihood, addressing public housing, public transportation and social security matters. These are the three main issues [that] he will solve if re-elected,” he added.
Chui Sai On is so far set to run without any opponents. Vong Hin Fai told reporters yesterday that, while trying to gather as many nominations as possible, the team is ready to face any scenario, with or without an opponent.
On August 31, an Electoral College, comprising 400 members, will elect the MSAR’s next Chief Executive. Chui Sai On needs to gather the support of at least 66 of its members.