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Ma picks Siew to head new task force

President Ma Ying-jeou, right, speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Office yesterday as Vice President Vicent Siew looks on. Ma named Siew to lead an ad hoc economic advisory panel.  PHOTO: AFP/PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday assigned Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) to head an economic advisory task force charged with providing the Executive Yuan with recommendations on improving the economy.

Siew said he hoped the task force could meet soon, preferably next week, but that there were still many details to be worked out, which he hoped to finalize in the next couple of days.

Ma emphasized that the task force, which will meet bimonthly, will not be a decision-making body but a communication and consultation platform between the Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan as well as local and international experts. It would not infringe on the executive power of the Cabinet.

As for who would serve on the new task force, Ma said the participants would be picked depending on the issues to be addressed and who was available. He said he would attend meetings if he had the time and was needed.

Ma made the announcement during a question-and-answer session with local media at the Presidential Office.

Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chih (王郁琦) said later that the task force would not be a standing body and would not have regular members. He said the Executive Yuan would “carefully take into consideration” the task force’s recommendations.

In an apparent attempt to dismiss speculation that Siew has been marginalized since the new government took office, Ma said he had made it clear when he announced his running mate in June last year that he saw Siew serving as the chief engineer to revive the economy if elected.

Ma said he hoped Siew would have an opportunity to use his economic expertise to help formulate government policies.

“He will not to replace the premier, nor is it possible to do so,” Ma said. “We hope the task force will help the Executive Yuan listen to the voices of the people and international experts so all aspects are taken into consideration when we make decisions.”

While the government had done a lot to improve the economy and stabilize commodity prices, Ma said he realized the public seemed to think differently and wanted to see immediate results. He said the recent economic stimulus plans would help improve the economy, but it might take a while to see the results.

Some government officials may have made inappropriate remarks, but basically the government was trustworthy, he said.

Ma said he hoped government officials would be more sensitive to the feelings and expectations of the public, and his administration would take whatever steps were deemed necessary.

Ma said he believed the country would weather the current economic crisis because he had faith in the people of Taiwan and the economy, and promised to stand with the public in tackling problems.

“Please don’t lose your faith in yourself and society,” he said. “We are not in an intolerable position, because we have valuable assets: A sound financial system, ambitious industries and diligent and honest people. It is our hope that we and the people will work together to combat the economic crisis.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said at a separate setting yesterday that the government should be consistent in its policies because inconsistency was at the root of the public’s lack of confidence in the government.

“Whatever new mechanism or new task force is set up will be in vain if the government is inconsistent,” Tsai said.

“It doesn’t matter who the convener [of the task force] is. The real challenge is to how to get the public to have confidence in the government,” she said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JIMMY CHUANG