Tue, Jun 12, 2001 page8

• DPP has a rare talent for hurting itself badly

  • By Wang Chien-chuang 王健壯
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  During the past year, a lot of what the DPP government has done could be compared to a man "carrying a rock and dropping it on his own feet." The administration was looking for trouble, created all the trouble and invited all the flak.

  Take for example the recent, controversial, appointment of a new chairman of the state-run China Steel Corp (中鋼).

  One might say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." On the other hand, if the people who have decision-making power are confident that they are behaving correctly, they shouldn't be afraid of being criticized about replacing Wang Chung-yu (王鍾渝) with Kuo Yen-tu (郭炎土).

  But take a look at what those officials actually said. The Presidential Office said the president wasn't involved in the decision. The premier said that he wasn't calling the shots. The minister of economic affairs simply stayed mum while Kuo said it was God's will!

  Even if it was God's will, there still had to be at least one person who made the decision. But who was that person? All of the officials wanted to distance themselves from the decision.

  What does this signify? To put it simply, it means they have no guts! Even on such a simple matter as replacing China Steel's chairman, nobody dared stand up and say, " I made that decision!" It was as if they had done something against their conscience, something to be kept hidden.

  There is a simple explanation. The officials were unable even to convince themselves that their reasons for the change were valid. If they revealed their true motives, they would be criticized and condemned relentlessly. As a result, they acted like kids trying to escape criticism or blame.

  Of course rocks that block one's way have to be removed. If the government hadn't moved the rocks blocking its path after coming to power, the DPP would be just like "a piece of wood," as Kuo put it.

  But rock removal is a profound art. It was necessary, indeed imperative, for the government to try to move the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四) rock. But the recklessness of the attempts to shift that rock seriously damaged the government, half crippling it.

  The rock of China Steel Corp is not as big as the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant rock. But the government moved too fast once again and once again hurt its feet. We can see that, after a year, the government's skill in the art of rock removal has not improved much.

  Why not? Because of inexperience? Maybe. But the main reason is that the top officials have "politics in mind." There is nothing wrong with that, unless it is the only thing on your mind. It is an even bigger mistake not to have relevant professional expertise in mind.

  Politics and professionalism aren't necessarily rivals. Once politics overrides professionalism, however, the latter will be worth nothing. The replacement of the young, money-making Wang by the old, money-losing Kuo is a fine example.

  Does the government have any professionalism to speak of? To say "No" would be harsh and unfair. But to say "Yes" would be deceiving.

  The recent death of Li Kwoh-ting (李國鼎), who was known as the father of Taiwan's economic miracle, saddened many people. He may not have been the greatest person of his time, but compared to other economic, financial, or high-tech officials of his generation, he greatly valued and trusted professionalism.

  Professionalism or politics? The government appears to view all issues as black or white choices -- and ends up shooting itself in the foot. The DPP only has itself to blame. It's high time that the party improved itself.

  Wang Chien-chuang is president of The Journalist magazine.

  Translated by Chen Ya-hui
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