Ma reiterated his policy of imposing an energy tax when igniting the flashing of "COOL" slogan on the Taipei 101 Tower at a ceremony Monday night to urge people to help "cool down the Earth" and prevent the constant temperature on earth from rising more than two degrees Celsius.

The slogans will flash for seven evenings in a row to raise public awareness on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, at an event held to mark Earth Day, which fell on April 22.

Ma emphasized the need to cut down the waste on resources as well as to promote energy efficiency and develop new and renewable energy sources.

The nation and people will regret and pay much higher costs if they take no quick action, he said.

He said that the revenue from the energy tax will be used exclusively for the purpose of developing sustainable energy.

He also announced a formula of limiting the daily per capita water consumption to 250 liters from the present 290 liters is under review.

Ma's proclamation of the energy and water policies has drawn diverse reactions.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party criticized Ma's policies and planned measures for ignoring the plight of rising living costs faced by the people.

But officials in the incoming Cabinet being organized by Premier-designate Liu Chao-shiuan said yesterday they have started mapping out measures in accordance with Ma's major policies.

Yiin Chii-ming, named as new economic affairs minister, said that he will hike gasoline prices in one stroke after assuming his post May 20 because he believes that free market mechanism is the best policy.

Details of the upcoming price increase will be announced after exchange views with executives of the state-owned oil company CPC Corp., he said.

The water bills will also be reviewed since low water costs have let the people inadvertently cultivate a habit of waste the valuable resources, he said.

Supplementary measures will also be implemented to cushion the adverse impact on low-income people after working out concerted steps with officials at other government agencies, Yiin

Shen Shih-hung, designated as the new chief of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), said environmental protection and resource conservation are among the key elements of Ma's campaign platforms and policies.

This is why Ma plans to consolidated relevant government agencies into an "environmental protection and resources ministry," he said.

Shen acknowledged the obstacles and resistance to new policies that will cause higher costs and inconveniences for the people.

He plans to start from government agencies to gradually implement the measures like holding contests of public facilities and schools to encourage them to voluntarily take steps for energy and water conservation.

Installation of new gears to save electricity and water will be expanded.

In a move to defuse criticisms on Ma's plan to impose an energy tax, Ma's spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said this is a part of the president-elect's campaign platform.

Ma's advocating the policy was only drowned out by the commotions created by election rival who had mainly adopted a campaign tactic of focusing on personal attacks.

Lo welcomed opinions on the energy tax policy from all corners of society and said they would be taken into consideration in crafting the measures by related government agencies after Ma's inauguration May 20.

Concerning Economic Affairs Minister-designate Yiin's remarks that he will hike gasoline prices in one step, Lo said such an approach was that of a responsible administration.

But he also said the incoming administration will consider subsidies for low-income and underprivileged groups to help ameliorate the financial burden of higher gasoline prices.

Despite the continuously soaring price of crude oil on world markets, the outgoing DPP administration has imposed a freeze on gasoline prices since last November for fear of offending the voters and losing ballots in then approaching legislative and presidential elections.