Yu Shyi-kun pushes technology

Premier Yu Shyi-kun reaffirmed yesterday that his new Cabinet would focus on enhancing technological development, but not at the expense of Taiwan's cultural heritage.

Yu made the remarks while visiting Taiho village, Tungshan township, Ilan County, yesterday to pay his respects to his ancestors at a family shrine and stop at nearby temples.

Yu mentioned President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) ideal of turning Taiwan into a "green silicon island" and said his Cabinet will focus on technology development -- but also stressed the importance of cultural preservation.

The premier, a self-made man whose reputation was built around his two terms as magistrate of Ilan County, has prided himself on promoting cultural activities during his stint as county chief.

He said that only through technology and cultural enhancement can the nation retain its competitive edge and improve the quality of life.

Asked about whether the Cabinet will consider a revised law governing the allocation of government revenues -- which was railroaded through the legislature in mid-January -- Yu said that the matter is now being handled by Lin Chuang (林全), the director-general of the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, and that the Executive Yuan will make its decision soon.

The revision, initiated by the KMT and supported by the PFP, will require the central government to give a larger portion of its revenue to local governments.

Prior to the revision, the central government provided 40 percent of its transaction tax revenue, 10 percent of its income tax revenue and 10 percent of the excise duty to local governments, including the two special municipalities of Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Under the revised law, the percentage of revenue to be earmarked for local governments will increase to 50 percent of the transaction tax, 30 percent of income tax and 30 percent of excise duty.

According to the government's forecast, this could see the money disbursed to local governments increase by between NT$150 billion and NT$310 billion, which would make an enormous dent in the central government's coffers.

The revised law also advocates changes to the way the money is split among local governments, with 15.5 percent going to Taipei City, 10 percent going to Kaohsiung City, 61.5 percent going to other counties and 7 percent going to townships.

The KMT initiated the changes at the request of Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who has seen the city's share of the central government's revenue decrease, especially after the inauguration of President Chen, who lost his job at Taipei City Hall at the hands of Ma in the 1998 mayoral election.

Although the Executive Yuan said the funding reduction is necessary to reverse the financial imbalance between Taipei City and other jurisdictions, the opposition said it is a political reprisal against Ma, who may be the KMT's best hope for winning back the presidency.