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Outgoing bureau chief thanks Ma for letting him go

Outgoing Taipei City Labor Affairs Bureau chief Cheng Tsun-chi (鄭村棋) is elated that Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has accepted his resignation so that he can now devote himself to his one great love.

At a farewell party hosted yesterday by Ma at Taipei City Hall in honor of Cheng and outgoing Cultural Affairs Bureau director Lung Ying-tai (龍應台), Cheng said now he is able to do the one thing that he craves most but has had no time to do -- read.

The first thing after retiring from the city government, Cheng jokingly said, is to "devour" books -- referring to a shopping spree where he purchased more than 100 books.

"I have been so hungry and thirsty for books," he said.

Besides reading, Cheng, a renowned labor-affairs activist before becoming a city official four years ago, said he is now an anti-war activist, opposed to a US war against Iraq.

At the party Ma warned the city government staff to "stay highly alert" against Cheng, who may lead labor union activists in protest rallies in front of Taipei City Hall.

Ma said he was lucky to have Cheng to help him tackle difficult labor affairs issues over the past four years. He said Cheng was just and stern in handling labor-related disputes and his impartial and incorruptible style of doing things will be remembered.

"Cheng administered his duties with total impartiality and without a political agenda -- look at his efforts on affairs regarding foreign laborers. He worked tirelessly for them despite the fact that foreigners cannot vote," Ma said.

Both Cheng and Lung insisted on stepping down when their terms expired on Sunday.
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