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President approves two close aides' resignations

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ma Yung-cheng (馬永成) and senior adviser to the National Security Council Lin Chin-chang (林錦昌) resigned last night following the president's curtailment of his responsibilities.

According to a press release issued by the Presidential Office last night, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) approved the resignation of two officials yesterday in compliance with the president's reform efforts and to make room for future reforms.

"I've been thankful for [President Chen's] appreciation of my abilities for the past 15 years. Although I've been doing my work cautiously, the heavy duty has become a burden too heavy to carry," Ma said in his resignation letter.

Ma said that after the president stated his ideals and the urge to reform his organization, he realized that resigning from his post would be the best thing he could do.

Lin echoed Ma's remarks, and said that he offered his resignation in order to conform with Chen's reform pledge.

Chen announced on Wednesday night that he would delegate his party responsibilities to the premier and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials, and focus solely on doing his job as the president. He also pledged to reorganize the power structure of his administration.

Both Ma and Lin are close aides to Chen who have been assisting the president for years. Ma began working with the president in 1991 while Chen was still a legislator. Later, when Chen became Taipei mayor, Ma became Chen's right-hand man, serving as a coordinator, mediator and policy strategist. Lin was in charge of writing Chen's speeches as president, prior to becoming the National Security Council senior adviser in 2004.

The Taiwan Solidarity Union caucus and major factions within the DPP last night expressed their respect for and support of the president's decision.

"The president's approval of Ma's and Lin's resignations showed his reformative resolve," DPP Legislator William Lai (賴清德) said.

The People First Party caucus, on the other hand, described Chen's decision as a maneuver to protect himself.
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