In arguably the most bizarre reaction to the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) electoral defeat on Saturday, Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) has resigned in spite of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) objection, and even turned the president away from his residence in the process.
Details began to surface late on Monday after Ma was said to have left a message with Mao’s wife, asking the premier to stay on until Ma can persuade the Democratic Progressive Party to form a new Cabinet after it won both the presidency and control of the Legislative Yuan.
Presidential Office spokesperson Charles Chen (陳以信) said that Ma went to Mao’s residence, but did not find him there.
Photo: CNA
Ma then asked the premier’s wife to convey the message, asking Mao to “put the interest of the nation first and to hold his position” until the Cabinet’s resignation is approved, Chen said.
It later transpired that Mao was home, but he sent his wife out to meet Ma, without letting the president in.
The incident made the front page of at least two Chinese-language newspapers, with the United Daily News saying Mao’s “unethical” actions have left the president “facing attacks from both the front and the rear.”
The paper said Mao “disappeared for 40 hours” after issuing a statement when the result of the elections became clear on Saturday evening.
In the statement, Mao said he had tendered his resignation to the president and would not accept any attempt to change his mind about leaving.
Ma had tried several times, but failed, to get in contact with Mao on the telephone, the newspaper said.
Presidential aides gave prior notice before Ma showed up in front of the premier’s residence in Taipei at about midday on Monday, only to be met by Mao’s wife, who told Ma that Mao would not see him.
Ma was not let into the house and had to leave after waiting for five minutes in cold weather.
Shortly after that, Mao left home for the Executive Yuan compound for a special meeting, during which he announced the Cabinet’s resignation en masse.
“Now it is time for me to spend time with my family,” Mao said at the meeting. “My game is over and I have fought the battle that I should fight.”
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