The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today announced the appointment of Mr Vong Iao Lek as the new Director-General of the Macao Customs Service.

The State Council made the appointment on Friday (19 February), following Mr Vong’s nomination by the Chief Executive. According to the Basic Law, the Chief Executive shall nominate and propose to the Central Government for appointment the principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), including the Director-General of the Customs Service.

Mr Vong’s nomination was made after careful consideration of his capabilities, including planning, management and leadership skills, Mr Chui said in a press conference held at the Government Headquarters this morning.

Mr Vong is a seasoned senior civil servant with extensive experience in leadership roles across different sectors of the public administration. He is also widely recognised for his decision-making abilities, Mr Chui stated.

The Chief Executive said he believed that – under the leadership of Mr Vong – the Customs Service would continue to provide an excellent service to the Macao SAR and its community.

As the new head of the Customs Service, Mr Vong takes on the challenges related with the management of Macao’s newly demarcated 85-square-kilometres of maritime waters. In his new capacity, he will also play a role in taking advantage of the development opportunities arising from the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and contribute for Macao to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as “Centre and Platform” policies).

Also attending today’s press conference, the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said he believed Mr Vong had the leadership and management skills required to successfully lead the Customs Service.

Asked by reporters why the new Director-General was not someone from within the Customs Service, Mr Wong said Mr Vong’s nomination was made after thorough consideration. The decision was well accepted by all staff of the Customs Service, said the Secretary. All public bodies are part of the same team, and all have the same duty to carry out the Government’s policies, he added.

The Chief Executive and Mr Wong spoke highly of the contribution to the development of the Macao SAR of all staff in the Customs Service over the past decade, in particular their excellent work in clarifying Macao’s management role of its maritime waters, and their enforcement efforts regarding Macao’s coastal affairs.

Also present at the press conference, Mr Vong expressed his gratitude to the Central Government for appointing him as Director-General of the Customs Service. He said he was honoured to join such a professional and highly efficient team, to better serve Macao.

Mr Vong additionally said he would uphold the principles of an impartial and people-oriented leadership to rise to the challenges he might face in his new post. He added that he would perform his duties in a pragmatic manner.

Prior to his appointment as Director-General of the Customs Service, Mr Vong served as President of the Management Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau since 2014. He became acting President of the Management Committee in 2013. Mr Vong served in several leading positions related to sports administration since he joined the public administration in 1994.

Mr Vong holds a PhD degree and a Master’s degree from the Beijing Sport University, and a bachelor’s degree in management from the Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração de Lisboa, in Portugal.

Following Mr Vong’s appointment as Director-General of the Customs Service, his position at the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau will be taken over by Mr José Maria da Fonseca Tavares. Mr Tavares joined the public administration in 1984 and was currently the President of the Sports Bureau.

Mr Pun Weng Kun, Vice-President of the Sports Bureau, will be the new head of the bureau.

The Secretary for Security served temporarily as Director-General of the Customs Service since 31 October 2015, following the death of the former Director-General, Ms Lai Man Wa.