Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Tuesday announced his decision to run for the office of third chief executive (CE), after tendering his resignation.

By law, SAR government and judicial officials who intend to run for the top job must resign their posts before the start of the nomination process.

In order to participate in the CE election, which will be held on July 26, Chui said at a press conference held here on Tuesday that he has submitted his resignation letter to the incumbent Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah, which will later be forwarded to China 's central government for formal approval.

He said that the preparation work for his campaign office and other candidacy procedures will be kicked off after the central government approves his resignation, but he also denies getting in touch with the central government on matters of his bid for the SAR's top job.

Born in Macao in 1957, Chui has been twice appointed as the SAR 's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture ever since the establishment of the Macao SAR on December 20, 1999. He holds a bachelor's degree in city hygiene administration from the California State University and PhD in public hygiene from the Oklahoma State University.

Although the current SAR government has made certain achievements, some of the in-depth historical issues resulting from the rapid development of Macao's economy still needs to be resolved, He said. He also claimed that he is determined to launch his work with reforming spirits if he is elected. However, he did not elaborate on his platform, only saying further information about his campaign will be released to the press after the establishment of his campaign office.

As it is stated in the SAR's Chief Executive Election Law, Macao's new CE will be elected within the 300-member CE Election Committee, of which some 254 members of the committee were elected by representatives of the respective socio-economic sectors, while 46 others were picked from local eminent political, business and religious figures.

The law also prescribes that eligible candidates should acquire nominations from at least 50 members of the 300-member CE Election Committee.

Candidates for the CE election can submit their application forms from June 12 to June 23, according to the CE Election Affairs Committee, an organ overseeing the election.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2009)