Lin Tzong-yeong eyed by media for finance ministry

While Premier Yu Shyi-kun has said the search to fill outgoing Minister of Finance Lee Yung-san's (李庸三) post will take several days, the media is trying to guess who will be his successor.

One of the most highly speculated names, Lin Tzong-yeong (林宗勇), chairman of International Commercial Bank of China (ICBC, 國際商銀), came forward to confront the speculation yesterday, saying there was no possibility of him being asked to take Lee's post.

"I don't want to quit my current job," Lin said yesterday. "I don't think I'll be asked to take the job and have no desire to take the job."

Lin had already declined a previous offer from President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to head the finance ministry.

But his close relationship with the president has once again put his name on top of the list of candidates.

Lin, 51, is also from Tainan -- the president's hometown -- and was a classmate of first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) during law school at National Chungshing University (中興大學).

As a KMT member, Lin served at the finance ministry age of 27, and was on the fast track to become the vice chairman at the Securities & Future Commission (證期會) in 1983.

He left the commission in 1994 and worked for Fubon Securities Co (富邦證券) and Grand Cathay Securities Corp (大華證券).

Before returning to chair the commission four years later, Lin had built up strong connections with influential entrepreneurs in the private sector.

He served the DPP administration as Vice Minister of Finance before becoming chairman of the ICBC in February.