Pres. Ma clarifies no imminent Cabinet reshuffle

Ma quashed the sizzling media speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle when taking an inspection trip to eastern Hualien County in the company of Transportation and Communications Minister Mao Chi-kuo.

Fielding reporters’ questions, Ma explained the voluntary resignation of Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman Gordon Chen due to personal reasons should not be taken as a sign of any immediate Cabinet reshuffle.

Ma said there is opulent compensation for Cabinet members who have to face tremendous pressure and risks.

But he stressed that he and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan have always closely evaluated the performance of senior officials in terms of formulating policies, execution, and facing future challenges.

Ma added that he and Liu have also been constantly conducting self-appraisal in order to meet the expectations of the people.

When asked to make comments on possible reshuffle of the Cabinet, Interior Minister Liao Liou-yi said he has put all his mind on doing the best possible work in the race against time, with no time to waste on other affairs or speculations.

Minister of Education Cheng Jei-cheng also stated that his main focus is to make the utmost effort doing his day-to-day work.

When posed with the same question, Chen Ching-hsiou, chief of the Central Personnel Administration, quoted an ancient Chinese prime minister as saying that a civil service official should asked only if the task on hand has been properly completed, instead of asking about the future.

The nosedive in stock prices, along with rising prices and increased unemployment caused by the global economic slowdown has brought President Ma’s approval rating to 34 percent concerning his performance in office, although he has maintained high supporting rate, according to a recent opinion poll in mid-November.

Liu’s approval rating also came in at 34 percent while 50 percent said the Cabinet needed a reshuffle.

Except for the FSC’s Gordon Chen, former Department of Health chief Lin Fang-yue was the only official stepping down after the Cabinet was formed in May.

Lin voluntarily resigned amid a public outcry after the DOH said it would allow the sale of Chinese milk products with limited traces of the industrial chemical melamine.

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