Decision on resignations expected

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, second in the middle queue, dances with Kaohsiung City Government workers yesterday. Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai yesterday said that Premier Frank Hsieh will announce a decision concerning the resignations of Chen as well as Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu tomorrow. PHOTO: LIN YA-LI, TAIPEI TIMES

Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday said that Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) will announce his decision concerning the resignations of Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊) and acting Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) on Tuesday.

"The investigation into the riot by Thai workers in Kaohsiung will be completed and the results announced on Monday, so the premier has decided to make the announcement on whether both Chens should take responsibility and step down on Tuesday," Cho said.

"However, even if they leave their current posts, the premier will arrange other positions for them in the Cabinet as recognition of their remarkable talent," he said.

The investigation Cho referred to has been conducted by Minister Without Portfolio Hsu Chih-hsiung (許志雄).

Hsu's brief was to decide whether government officials should step down over the riot.

Cho made the remarks yesterday as he accompanied Hsieh to a seminar for Cabinet members in Kaohsiung.

"Even if they leave their current posts, the premier will arrange other positions for them in the Cabinet as recognition of their remarkable talent."

Cho Jung-tai, Cabinet spokesman

When asked about the rumor that Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) is hot favorite to succeed Chen Chi-mai, should he be asked to step down, Cho made no comment.

Meanwhile, an additional minister without portfolio position is available and this position is expected to be filled when Hsieh announces his decision tomorrow.