Rumors are flying that Rafael Hui Si- yan has his eyes on becoming Macau’s next chief executive. National People’s Congress Standing Committee member Dr Stanley Ho, who is in Beijing, was ominously silent about it yesterday.

The refusal by the “god of gambling” to say anything on the subject suggests that there is more to that rumor than meets the eye.

Hong Kong’s former chief secretary for administration, his wife and mother live in Macau.