Some political figures are, by nature, capable officials in times of trouble, yet when things are running per the status quo, they are unable to display such capabilities.
On the contrary, some people are only fit to be officials during times of tranquility. They can reach the position of high ranking officials without any trouble nor difficulties, yet once they find themselves in turbulent circumstances, their "true colors" become fully exposed, such that others are able to see through their defects. Premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) clearly shows us such an example.
Although Siew is the top executive chief in Taiwan and has the power to exercise the president's emergency decree, Lien Chan (
On the surface, it seems that only Lien has the power to make suggestions to the president and the Executive Yuan, yet in fact he is playing a dual role of both the president and prime minister.
Of course, a vice president who possesses such great power is only because of the authorization given to him by President Lee Teng-hui (
As a result, the ruins left by the earthquake became Lien's stage, with him also cast as the lead actor. Lee is willing to step back into a supporting role which is not harmful to his presidential prestige; yet as for Premier Siew, he is left with an insignificant role.
But what's worse is that he is forced to play the part, and so he has no choice. If it wasn't for the presidential election, Siew's role would not have been so awkward and others would have forgotten his presence on the stage.
The people who know the inside story of decision-making know that Siew knew about many of the suggestions supposedly made by Lien.
Everyone seems to think that things like the increase of relief payments from NT$500,000 to NT$1,000,000, banks assuming housing loans for the victims of the disaster, the six-month exemption of health insurance fees and the establishment of trust funds for orphans were suggested by Lien and have nothing to do with Siew.
The fact is, however, that Siew knew about many of these suggestions in advance and that he intentionally made it seem as though Lien did all the work.
Not claiming credit is Siew's virtue, yet it can be seen that Siew did not do a good job of shouldering the responsibility which he should have taken good care of, and these responsibilities have nothing to do with Lien. Siew's irresponsibility can be detected in his wavering attitude and the way he has make frequent changes in policies, which reveals the problems in Siew's political judgment, damaging his prestige as a leader.
When Siew visited the disaster areas, the victims and the Cabinet officials who accompanied him did not treat him as a decisive top executive chief. For example, in the issuance of condolence payments, his initial attitude was stern yet softened towards the end. He is also constantly changing his mind about relief work, and whether or not he should send the operational priorities to the Legislative Yuan for reference.
Let's take the operational priorities as an example. Even if it is actually within the Executive Yuan's domain and is not the same as any other regulation, the emergency decree has already been approved by the Legislative Yuan, and the priorities should be simply sent out for reference. If the approval was not a problem, then there should be no reason for fear of releasing the priorities for reference.
Moreover, anyone who has some political judgment must know very well that the Legislative Yuan would have definitely reacted if the priorities were not sent to them for reference, but at present the most pressing matter should be concentrated on reconstruction efforts, and not angering the Legislative Yuan.
No wonder Premier Siew is being criticized as the minister good in peaceful times, since he cannot even make up his mind on simple administrative matters. People may feel sorry for politicians who do not have the power to make decisions, yet no one forgives those who are unable to show the proper determination when making decisions.
Wang Chien-chuang is president of The Journalist magazine.
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