Taiwan's Liu to step down after storm criticism
Source: Agencies |
September 8, 2009, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TAIWAN leader Ma Ying-jeou yesterday approved the resignation of Liu Chao-shiuan, head of Taiwan's "Executive Yuan," amid strong criticism of the government's slow response to the most devastating storm to hit the island in 50 years.
Ma immediately named a senior official from the ruling party to replace Liu.
Liu said he was leaving office because his "Executive Yuan" had completed the initial stage of rehabilitation work after Typhoon Morakot slammed into the island on August 8-9 and left more than 700 dead.
"I have completed my duties at this phase," said Liu, who has held his post since Ma took office in May 2008.
Liu's move sets the stage for the entire government to resign. Liu said that would happen on Thursday.
Ma named Kuomintang party Secretary General Wu Den-yih, 61, to replace Liu.
Wu is a veteran lawmaker with a reputation as a skilled politician. He previously served eight years as mayor of Kaohsiung - Taiwan's second-largest city - and before that was chief executive of Nantou County, also in the island's south.
Wu said he will name new "Executive Yuan" members in a few days. "We will unite and strive with our best efforts to shoulder the difficult task ahead," he told reporters.
Another former lawmaker, Chu Li-lun, 48, was named by Ma as deputy head of the "Executive Yuan." Chu has served as chief executive of Taoyuan County in suburban Taipei since 2001.
Government spokesman Wang Yu-chi said Chu, who has a background in finance and business management, could oversee the island's economic development, which has been hard hit by the global financial crisis.
Wu, an elected official experienced in local politics, could complement Ma, a legal expert by training who is often seen as being aloof, said Shih Cheng-feng, a political scientist at Taiwan's Dong Hwa University.
Typhoon Morakot, which dumped a meter of rain in some locations, triggered massive flooding and mudslides. Critics blamed the heavy casualties on government inefficiency, saying authorities should have ordered residents in the area to evacuate their homes long before the storm hit.
The government has also come under criticism for rejecting initial offers of overseas aid and for failing to immediately deploy troops to help with rescue operations.
Ma immediately named a senior official from the ruling party to replace Liu.
Liu said he was leaving office because his "Executive Yuan" had completed the initial stage of rehabilitation work after Typhoon Morakot slammed into the island on August 8-9 and left more than 700 dead.
"I have completed my duties at this phase," said Liu, who has held his post since Ma took office in May 2008.
Liu's move sets the stage for the entire government to resign. Liu said that would happen on Thursday.
Ma named Kuomintang party Secretary General Wu Den-yih, 61, to replace Liu.
Wu is a veteran lawmaker with a reputation as a skilled politician. He previously served eight years as mayor of Kaohsiung - Taiwan's second-largest city - and before that was chief executive of Nantou County, also in the island's south.
Wu said he will name new "Executive Yuan" members in a few days. "We will unite and strive with our best efforts to shoulder the difficult task ahead," he told reporters.
Another former lawmaker, Chu Li-lun, 48, was named by Ma as deputy head of the "Executive Yuan." Chu has served as chief executive of Taoyuan County in suburban Taipei since 2001.
Government spokesman Wang Yu-chi said Chu, who has a background in finance and business management, could oversee the island's economic development, which has been hard hit by the global financial crisis.
Wu, an elected official experienced in local politics, could complement Ma, a legal expert by training who is often seen as being aloof, said Shih Cheng-feng, a political scientist at Taiwan's Dong Hwa University.
Typhoon Morakot, which dumped a meter of rain in some locations, triggered massive flooding and mudslides. Critics blamed the heavy casualties on government inefficiency, saying authorities should have ordered residents in the area to evacuate their homes long before the storm hit.
The government has also come under criticism for rejecting initial offers of overseas aid and for failing to immediately deploy troops to help with rescue operations.
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