Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday said he was sorry that Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Minister Chang Juu-en (張祖恩) is leaving the Cabinet and praised Chang's contribution.
"I love having him here and I was hoping to keep him on the team. However, I must respect his decision although I have tried to persuade him not to resign," Hsieh said.
"As for the candidate who will take over his position, I will make a decision on that as soon as possible and announce it to the public," he said.
Chang filed his resignation late on Wednesday afternoon. Due to career considerations and family members' expectations, Chang said he decided to return to his previous post as an environmental engineering professor at National Cheng Kung University.
Chang took the agency's helm in October 2003, when former head Hau Lung-bin (
In April 2001, Hau invited Chang to serve as his deputy. According to the law, the maximum term for a professor to be temporarily transferred to the government is four years. Chang thus resigned from the EPA to return to his previous position at the university.
"I understand that university post is `a hot spot' for people in the field. Chang has a chance to do it, so it is natural for him to take that opportunity while he can. As a result, although I really like his work, I still have to let him go," the premier said.
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