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Ma’s top aide declines to join administration

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday declined to comment on his top aide Steve Chan’s (詹啟賢) decision not to join his administration amid dissenting views from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) members over Chan’s sudden announcement.

Chan, who served as Ma’s campaign manager and was a prospective candidate for vice premier, issued a written statement on Thursday night saying he had decided not to join Ma’s administration to give Ma more flexibility in arranging the Cabinet lineup.

Chan said he would join the Buddhist Tzu Chi Compassionate Relief Foundation after the presidential inauguration on May 20.

“My campaigning duties for Ma are complete, and joining the Cabinet is not a priority for me,” Chan said yesterday morning during an interview with Tzu Chi’s Da-ai TV station.

Ma issued a written statement on Thursday night saying he and vice president-elect Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) respected Chan’s decision and declined to make further comment yesterday when approached by reporters.

As Ma’s Cabinet lineup becomes the center of attention, Chan’s announcement sparked concern over infighting in Ma’s camp and the president-elect’s ability to handle personnel issues.

The Chinese-language China Times said that Chan decided to leave Ma’s team as he was unable to get along with Ma’s long-term aide, former Taipei deputy mayor King Pu-tsung (金溥聰).

Premier-designate Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) said yesterday he respected Chan’s decision, adding that he would continue to seek Chan’s advice in the future.

Liu declined to respond to allegations that Chan’s decision was a reflection of any internal conflict inside the Ma camp.

Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) expressed his regret over Chan’s decision, urging Ma’s aides to remain humble and to cherish talent.

King issued a statement yesterday dismissing the China Times report. He condemned the newspaper for quoting anonymous sources and including allegations without seeking solid evidence.

Ma late last night announced the appointment of KMT Vice Chairman Chan Chun-po (詹春柏) as Presidential Office secretary-general, with former Taipei deputy mayor Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川) as the deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office.

Chan Chun-po served as the campaign director of Ma’s camp during the presidential election, while Yeh is a long-term aide to Ma.

In related news, Ma spokesman Luo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said yesterday that public schools and state-run firms would not be required to hang pictures of the president on the wall after Ma assumes office.
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