As a former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he was a popular figure with the public and with legislators of all parties.

As he was due to attend a second interview with the airline, Chase Manhattan made an offer with a promised starting salary of HK$1,600.

Giving up an annual salary of in excess of HK$10 million, Ma joined the government as a 'cabinet-level' political appointee under the Principal Officials Accountability System since 1 July 2002.

In 2007, after Donald Tsang re-elected as Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Ma continued in SAR government, served as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

[12] He became chairman of the Education University of Hong Kong's governing council on 25 April 2017, by appointment of the Chief Executive.