Premier Frank Hsieh (
"To raise utility prices is not that simple. It requires expert evaluation and the legislature's final approval, so it will definitely take a while," the premier said.
"There is no need to panic but I would sincerely urge the public to help conserve more electric power and water anyway," he said.
PHOTO: LIAO CHEN-HUI, TAIPEI TIMES
The premier made his remarks during the opening speech of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday morning.
He said that there are three concerns for the government to consider when it came to raising utility prices.
"First of all, the market mechanism is the most important thing; secondly, [we must adhere to] the government's economic policies; finally [we must adhere to] the government's energy policies," the premier said.
In the meantime, Hsieh also said that the proposal to raise utility prices was meant to encourage the public to conserve as many resources as possible.
"If the prices remain unchanged, people will not learn the lesson that our resources will not always be available. In addition, if people do not consume that much, we will not have to come up with other solutions, such as establishing more nuclear power plants, to solve the problem of power shortages," Hsieh said.
As for gas prices, the premier said that the government would not take action at the moment. He would not say whether gas prices would go up in the near future.
Yesterday was also Hsieh's first time to not wear his jacket and tie to work. Instead, he put on grey "island wear" to meet the press and his fellow Cabinet members.
"Island wear" shirts are popular and are regarded as formal wear for men in Southeast Asia and many South Pacific countries.
"Wearing `island wear' is cool and convenient, and will help conserve power since we do not have to rely on air conditioning so much," Hsieh said.
The idea of men wearing less formal attire to work originated in Japan, which has introduced a casual dress code so that office air conditioners can be turned down to save electricity and help the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the measure, air-conditioners must be set at 28?C. Men will not have to wear a suit and tie between June 1 and Sept. 30, so that more air-conditioners can be turned down, or off.
The idea was first mentioned here to Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (
Cho acknowledged the idea, and said that he would report it to Hsieh.
"I like this. It is comfortable. But the blemish is that the shirt does not have enough pockets for me, so I cannot carry as many items as I did in my suit and tie," Hsieh said.
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