New Party's Lai Shyh-bao will decide today on whether to be deputy mayor

Outgoing New Party legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said yesterday that he will make his decision today on whether to serve as deputy mayor of Taichung City.

Although Lai hasn't yet made up his mind over the position, he said he will most likely go back to teaching at the university level.

Lai confirmed that newly elected KMT Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) called him on Saturday to invite him to serve as deputy mayor of the city.

Lai said the reason Hu offered him the post is because he comes from Taichung and Hu may be attracted by his expertise in finance and economics.

Lai said whether he will accept Hu's offer will depend on what the deputy mayor can do for Taichung residents. Lai wanted to wait until today to make his decision because he needed time to ponder the move and hadn't yet made up his mind.

He added, however, that he will likely go back to teaching instead of accepting the position.

Lai said that he was given a sabbatical from the university that employed him for one legislative term, which runs for three years.

As the term nears its expiration, he would have to give up his teaching post if he did not return to the position.

"It's better to go back to my university [job] for one year before I ask for another sabbatical so that I can take public office," Lai said.

Due to Lai's loss in the legislative elections on Dec.1 and the New Party's poor showing, he announced last week that he would quit the party as soon as his term as lawmaker expired.

Lai also said he would not join any other party.

The New Party gained only 2.8596 percent of the vote in the Dec. 1 legislative elections.