Grand Lotus for ex-CE Ho Iat Seng, ex-speaker Kou Hoi In
The local government presented the 2025 Decorations, Medals and Certificates of Merit to 28 awardees during a solemn ceremony, held at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape on Friday.
During the ceremony, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai presented the awards to the 28 recipients, either individuals or organisations.
This time, Macau’s top decoration of honour, the Grand Lotus, was awarded to two individuals, namely former chief executive Ho Iat Seng, and former president of the Legislative Assembly (AL) Kou Hoi In.
Ho, Sam’s predecessor, served as the chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) for a five-year term, between 20 December, 2019 and 19 December, 2024.
Ho headed the Legislative Assembly from 2013 until July 2019 when he resigned from the legislature in order to run for chief executive.
Ho, born in June 1957, had been a lawmaker since 2009.
Ho is a former member of the elite Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
Kou retired from the Legislative Assembly as he did not seek re-election for its current term, which started on October 16 last year.
Kou had headed the legislature since July 2019 – following Ho’s resignation from the hemicycle – until his retirement from the hemicycle.
Kou, born in January 1953, had been a Macau lawmaker since 1991 when Macau was still under temporary Portuguese administration.
Kou is a member of the elite NPC Standing Committee.
The second highest decoration of honour, the Gold Lotus, was awarded to three individuals this time, namely former secretary for public works and transport Raimundo do Rosário, former commissioner of audit Ho Veng On, and former director-general of the Macau Customs Service Vong Man Chong.
The Macau Association of Banks was awarded the third highest decoration of honour, the Silver Lotus.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) shakes hands with Ho Iat Seng after presenting him with the Grand Lotus, Macau’s top decoration of honour, during Friday’s ceremony at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) shakes hands with Kou Hoi In after presenting him with the Grand Lotus during Friday’s ceremony at the Macau Cultural Centre.
