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Chen Chi-mai gets important boost

Cabinet Spokesman Chen Chi-mai says he has ``zero disadvantages.'' TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO

The appointment of three-term Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) as the new Cabinet spokesman is an important boost for the 40-year-old's political career.

Although Chen has dismissed speculation that he will run in next year's Kaohsiung city mayoral election, the Cabinet post is a higher profile position for a man considered one of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) favorite party cadres.

Chen Chi-mai is also a member of the the DPP's Justice Alliance (正義連線) faction, which Chen Shui-bian helped found.

DPP Legislator Chiu Chuei-chen (邱垂貞) of the Welfare State Alliance (福利國連線) faction believes it is clear that Chen Chi-mai's appointment as the Cabinet's spokesman is to lay the ground for his mayoral bid by diversifying his political experience.

"That's why he relinquished the opportunity to run in the year-end legislative elections in the first place," he said.

Chiu's opinion is echoed by a veteran legislature reporter, who asked not to be named.

"Taking up the Cabinet's job is just a transitional stage in his long-term career plans," he said. "Although he would prefer to stay in the legislature, his personal wishes don't count, because they run against the plans of the Presidential Office and the Cabinet."

The new Cabinet line-up features young talent recruited from the legislature and academic circles.

Chen Chi-mai's bid for the Kaohsiung mayoralty might run into problems, however, because of controversy surrounding his father, Chen Che-nan (陳哲男), until recently a deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office.

In the run-up to the presidential election, Chen Yu-hao (陳由豪), wanted on embezzlement charges and listed as one of the nation's top 10 most-wanted criminals, released three public letters in which he claimed that he had provided political donations to the president and was even asked to pay money to his aides.

Chen Yu-hao also alleged that he had given a NT$10 million bribe to then DPP deputy secretary-general Chen Che-nan in 2001, as well as NT$1 million to Chang Ching-sen (張景森), vice chairman of the Cabinet's Council for Economic Planning and Development.

Chen Che-nan and Chang both dismissed Chen Yu-hao's allegation as a "campaign trick."

The DPP, however, acknowledged that Chen Yu-hao donated NT$10 million to the campaign for the 2000 presidential race. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) acknowledged receiving NT$100 million from the fugitive.

Describing himself as a hardworking individual, Chen Chi-mai jokingly told the Taipei Times yesterday that his biggest shortcoming was having "zero disadvantages."

His colleague, DPP caucus whip Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) of the Justice Alliance faction, seems to agree.

In the eyes of Tsai, Chen Chi-mai is a fine politician who is well-educated, well-organized, self-restrained and dexterous in interpersonal skills.

"He's one of the fine young men who is well accepted by all party faction members," Tsai said.

Chen obtained his master's degree from Taipei Medical College and once worked as a medical doctor at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Because of his expertise in health care, he doubles as a minister without portfolio in charge of reviewing the Cabinet's health bills and related projects.

If he has any disadvantages at all, Tsai said, it would be that he is a little indecisive and too thin.

Chen Chi-mai is 172cm tall and weighs in at about 62kg.

In the eyes of the veteran journalist, Chen Chi-mai is a smart individual, quick-witted but also "docile" and "bashful."

"It seems he's been living his life for other people, mainly is his father," he said. "His father played a pivotal role in his switching careers from health care to politics."

He is also living under the shadow of President Chen, who cares less about Chen Chi-mai's personal interests that his own, which include developing his own base of support in the government and the party, the journalist said.

Lauding Chen Chi-mai's eloquence, Chiu, who worked with Chen Chi-mai when they were elected as the DPP's caucus whips during the last legislative session, said that he was one of the up-and-coming members of the party.

"I hope he makes good use of his personal advantages and resources in the Cabinet to help himself climb up the ladder of power," Chiu said.

The only advice Chiu had for Chen Chi-mai was to strengthen his interpersonal skills, which he said had been challenged when they were caucus whips.
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