Elections to feature new candidates as veteran lawmakers step down

Kou Hoi In

The upcoming legislative elections will see a change as several long-serving members of the Legislative Assembly (AL) choose not to run for re-election through indirect voting.

Kou Hoi In and Chui Sai Cheong, the current president and vice-president of the AL respectively, are stepping down after serving since the establishment of the Macau SAR legislature.

Both in their early seventies, they appear ready to retire from their political roles.

In addition to their departure, veteran deputies Vong Hin Fai, Chan Iek Lap, and Wong Sai Man will also be absent from the ballots this cycle.

This has opened the door for new candidates across the professional, industrial, commercial, and financial sector.

Chui Sai Cheong

As cited in media reports, União dos Interesses Empresariais de Macau (Macau Business Interests Union) recently unveiled its candidate list for the sectors of industry, commerce, and finance, featuring two newcomers alongside two incumbents.

José Chui Sai Peng, who leads the list and represents Macau at China’s National People’s Congress, remains a candidate.

Alongside him is Ip Sio Kai, president of the Macau Banks Association and a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

New entrants include Si Ka Lon, currently a directly elected lawmaker, and businessman Kevin Ho, who has familial ties to former Chief Executive Edmund Ho and prominent community leader Ho Yin. Staff Reporter