Former judge eyeing job as Macau leader says gambling-based economy must diversify

Sam Hou-fai, former president of city’s top court, formally announces election bid, vows better integration into national development plans

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A contender for Macau’s top job has said the city is grappling with a local spending dip as residents head across the border for their weekends. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 3:01pm, 28 Aug 2024Updated: 7:34pm, 28 Aug 2024

A former top Macau judge eyeing the role of city leader has vowed to diversify the local economy, arguing the gaming sector’s uncoordinated development has created “a very large, negative impact”, while pledging to engage with small businesses amid a dip in consumer spending.

Sam Hou-fai, the 62-year-old former president of the gaming hub’s Court of Final Appeal, formally announced his election bid at a press conference on Wednesday, pledging to better integrate Macau into the country’s development strategies, solve deep-seated problems through reform and improve governance standards.

In his declaration to run for chief executive, Sam said: “It is made out of a strong sense of mission to uphold Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability.

“It also derives from an original aspiration to work together for a better future for Macau and to deliver better lives for the people of Macau.”

Sam singled out the city’s reliance on a gaming industry dominated by six casino operators, stressing it needed to diversify its economic structure.

“There have been times when [the gaming industry] developed in a disorderly way and expanded wildly. This not only squeezes the resources of our society and manpower from all aspects, but also affects our young people’s choice of employment and career development,” he said.