The government's policy to reduce the preferential interest rate granted to retired public servants will be carried out despite the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) setback in the local elections and criticism from some of those whose pensions would be affected, President Chen Shui-bian (
Breaking a week-long silence, Chen yesterday resumed his public activities by receiving representatives of the physically and mentally challenged at the presidential office. He did not discuss his feelings about the DPP's poor performance in the local elections, but stressed that the government is still determined to carry out its proposed reform policies, including adjusting the 18 percent preferential interest rate granted to retired teachers, soldiers and civil service officials.
Long before the election, Chen had stressed the urgency of adjusting the 18 percent preferential interest rate for the sake of social justice. After the DPP's setback on Dec. 3, some people blamed the reform policy.
Although he feels sorry for the people whose pensions will be affected, the reforms must go ahead, Chen said yesterday.
The president said that adjusting the 18 percent preferential rate would not only eliminate friction between different social communities, but also shorten the gap between rich and poor.
"The government's determination to carry out the reforms will not be affected by the ruling party's setback in the local elections or opposition from street demonstrators affected by the reform," Chen said.
He said that people will eventually support the government if it is doing the right thing.
On Dec. 3, the DPP managed to win only six of the 23 mayoral and county commissioner seats, with the rest going to the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and its allies. Chen had been keeping a low profile ever since the election.
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