Sources reveal that Macau's next Secretary for Economy and Finance will be O Lam, currently the Vice-President of the Municipal Councils. This appointment follows the recent announcement of Sam Hou Fai, the former President of the Court of Final Appeal, as the sixth Chief Executive of Macau, set to take office on December 20.
There are also rumors that the makeup of his government team will include five Secretaries of Departments and key officials from the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) and Commission of Audit (CA).
Sources close to the matter have told IAG that O Lam is likely to be named Secretary for Economy and Finance because of her extensive experience in government service.
O Lam, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Finance and Economics from Jinan University and an International MBA from The American Graduate School of Business in Switzerland, began her career at the Sports Bureau in 2000. She later served as Director of Sports Development and Under Secretary for Sports. From 2009 to 2019, she worked as an advisor to the Chief Executive’s Office, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, and Secretary General of the Executive Council. In 2020, she was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Urban Services Department.
She is a descendant of Or Cheng Ping, the founder of Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited, the largest petroleum products supplier in Macau.
Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance has long played a significant role in the development of the city’s gaming industry, with responsibilities including granting permission – or denying – requests around the location and the increasing or decreasing of the number of gaming tables and gaming machines on the casino floor. The Secretary also issues, renews, and cancels junket licenses, while the city’s regulator – the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) – operates under the Secretary for Economy and Finance.
Other rumored appointments, which could be made public next week, include the incumbent Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, becoming the new Secretary for Administration and Justice.
Sónia Chan Hoi Fan, who served as the Secretary for Administration and Justice from 2014 to 2019, is poised to be appointed Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. Meanwhile, Lam Wai Hou, the current Director of the Public Works Bureau, is expected to become Secretary for Transportation and Public Works, and Chan Tsz King, the current Commissioner of the CCAC, is set to take on the role of Secretary for Security.