Mayors don't need to attend Cabinet meeting: premier

Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday said that the mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung are no longer required to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting, but Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said he hoped to be given higher priority.

The political tug-of-war began on Feb. 23, when Hsieh first said during the weekly Cabinet meeting that "unnecessary" officials would not be required to attend the weekly meeting anymore, because they should stay at their posts and work.

Yesterday, Hsieh took that a step further and said that the mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung cities do not "have to" attend the meeting anymore, but they are more than welcome to do so if they feel it is necessary.

Some speculate that the announcement was aimed at Ma.

In response to Hsieh's new rule, Ma said that he actually hopes Hsieh will allot him a higher "priority."

"If possible, I would suggest that we send the deputy secretary-general or his senior [mayor, deputy mayor and secretary-general] to the weekly event if other senior officials are busy," Ma said.

Hsieh that as the Taipei and Kaohsiung mayors have positions under the Cabinet, they would be requested to attend the weekly meeting and present their administrative briefs, but it will no longer be an obligation.

"Taipei and Kaohsiung mayors' jobs are quite demanding. I was a Kaohsiung City mayor for six years so I understand that," Hsieh said. "However, I must also say that participating in the Cabinet's weekly meeting helps a mayor a lot because he is able to learn, understand and communicate with the central government. So they will be more than welcome to do so if necessary."

"During my own six-year term as Kaohsiung mayor, I must say I learned a lot during the weekly meetings," Hsieh said. "And I appreciated the chance to talk to central government officials during those meetings."

Ma that attending the weekly meetings is like an "obligation" to him, but he appreciated Hsieh changing the "obligation" to a "right."

"I also agree that there is advantage for me to attend the weekly events and I do appreciate the premier's understanding. But, if my suggestion is approved, it will be a plus," Ma said.

Additionally, the premier said the heads of the Cabinet's Central and Southern offices are no longer required to attend the weekly meetings either.