Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday instructed his embattled Cabinet to improve its crisis management in the wake of a recent spate of incidents that have generated strong criticism of its performance.
Liu told the Cabinet meeting that the government needed to enhance its handling of crises, Executive Yuan Spokeswoman Vanessa Shih (史亞平) said.
“The premier said each and every ministry should be aware of things relating to the country’s development and public welfare, especially people’s lives, property, safety and health, which concern the public most,” Shih said.
Liu made the remarks in reference to the government’s handling of the US financial crisis, typhoons and the importation of melamine-tainted Chinese milk powder, dairy products and plant proteins.
Shih said Liu had assigned Minister Without Portfolio Tsai Hsun-hsiung (蔡勳雄) to lead a task force to draw up guidelines for the government in handling crises.
Every ministry should assess potential risks and threats associated with incidents, prepare in advance, build a warning index system and help the public understand its policies, Liu was quoted by Shih as saying at a press conference.
The Cabinet was criticized for its responses to the US financial turmoil, which analysts say led to a sharp decline in the stock market as the measures it proposed failed to stop a sell-off, and for its weeklong ambiguity on whether it would halve the securities exchange tax.
The Cabinet also came under fire recently for its handling earlier this month of the aftermath of Typhoon Sinlaku, which claimed at least 12 lives.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) offered his resignation after the incident, following calls from lawmakers across party lines for him to take responsibility for the collapse of Houfeng Bridge (后豐橋). Liu rejected his resignation.
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