Legislative election candidates reflect widespread disappointment, says Ron Lam

The eighth Macau legislative election, scheduled for September 14, is marked by the lowest number of candidates for direct election to date, with current lawmaker Ron Lam attributing the lackluster atmosphere to a prevailing sense of disappointment in society.

The nomination period for the upcoming Legislative Assembly (AL) elections ended on June 6. On the same day, the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) announced that, with a submission deadline of 5:30 p.m. on June 6, a total of 15 applications were received, including nine for direct elections.

The CAEAL subsequently confirmed that eight groups were eligible to nominate candidate lists for the 14 direct election seats, marking the lowest number since Macau’s handover to China.

This represents negative growth in the number of participating groups in the direct elections, setting a historical low. For the first time, the number of participating groups is in the single digits and fewer than the number of available seats, with eight groups competing for 14 seats.

Reportedly, due to the disqualification of several pro-democracy candidates, the voter turnout for the 2021 Macau Legislative Assembly elections fell to a new low, with only 42.38% of eligible voters casting their ballots—marking the lowest turnout since Macau’s handover.

“To be honest, voter turnout this year is the lowest in history, and the election atmosphere feels very subdued. […] Among the teams running in this election, I know the least about them, especially since the handover. More importantly, we observe that the overall election atmosphere is quite low.” Lam cited examples of citizens who, even today, remain unaware of the specific election dates, expressing his astonishment.

He pointed out that this lackluster atmosphere reflects a deep sense of disappointment within society.

However, he urged the people of Macau not to lose hope.

“We hope this election will help residents understand that if they want to retain a voice in the legislature that fully reflects their opinions, they must cast their sacred vote. Only then can the legislature truly advocate for them, allowing the government to listen to public opinion, address the real needs of residents, and promote the sustainable development of public policy in Macau,” he said.

Lam made these remarks yesterday following his team’s submission of its candidate list and platform to the CAEAL for this year’s legislative election.

Speaking to the media, Lam emphasized his hope that the government will attentively listen to the true voices of the people through the legislature.

Reflecting on his performance over the past four years, Lam noted issues such as the Kun Iam statue and highlighted the demands for government improvements from frontline medical staff who faced immense pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as their successful advocacy for hundreds of employees at the Light Rail Transit operators.

“Over the past four years, we have made efforts to represent residents. However, whether the government listens to these public opinions is beyond our control,” he admitted.

While addressing the lack of professional voices from all sides in the legislature, Lam remarked: “I deeply understand the limitations of personal ability” in his work. However, he added, “we still believe that ‘after rain comes sunshine.’ We hope to continue advocating for Macau through our modest efforts and patiently await the arrival of that sunshine.”

As of yesterday, since Friday, six out of the eight direct election teams had submitted their candidate lists and platforms to the CAEAL.

These groups include the “Union for Development,” “Macau Institution of People’s Alliance,” “Union for Promoting Progress,” “Macau Create People’s Livelihood Force,” “Association of Synergy of Macao,” and “Alliance for a Happy Home.” Their respective candidates, who are also current lawmakers, are Ella Lei and Leong Sun Iok; Becky Song and Nick Lei; Leong Hong Sai and Ngan Iek Hang; Ron Lam; and Wong Kit Cheng.

Their respective focuses include optimizing the allocation of educational resources, ensuring employment for local residents, and strengthening support for the elderly, vulnerable populations, and women.

They also address economic conditions, employment trends, and social welfare issues; local industries, youth employment, healthcare improvements, transportation, urban renewal, and building management standards; as well as vocational training, welfare policies, housing policies, and the phasing out of satellite casinos.

Additionally, they emphasize employment, the economy, livelihood security, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development, public finance, youth development, the business environment, urban construction, family-friendly measures, and the protection of the rights and interests of women and children.