Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) took office with low public expectations. During my time as Kaohsiung City councilor, I had several encounters with Wu, who was then the city’s mayor, and I have also served in the central government. I suggest that Wu bear three things in mind in order not to let the public down.
First, Wu should show his concern for the public as he handles reconstruction projects following Typhoon Morakot. A good start does not guarantee a good finish; and likewise, a bad start does not necessarily mean a bad end. The key lies in whether the government cares for the public. Former premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) and his Cabinet members are the best example of this.
When he was Kaohsiung mayor, Wu called on the central government to pay more attention to the discrepancies between the north and south. He should now carry out the promises he made back then. He should also apply a long-term vision of the reconstruction of disaster areas, turning crisis into opportunity.
In terms of political and economic development, Taiwan is a combination of backward, modern and postmodern societies. Politicians should take advantage of the disaster relief operations to improve living standards for the originally underdeveloped disaster areas. This would be a blessing for Taiwanese.
Second, Wu should keep out of harm’s way by being discreet and brave in shouldering responsibility. The main reason why Wu aroused public anger as mayor was he failed to take responsibility. He once told an interviewer that because he loved himself he would not accept bribes, which proved he is a politician who knows how to protect himself. But he became wishy-washy on many issues to avoid trouble.
After Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) succeeded Wu as mayor, it was discovered that Wu had approved nearly all official documents “according to the law.” We should know that public servants are not stupid. If their superiors are not willing to take responsibility, their subordinates will reject petitions. This is also why, during Wu’s eight years as mayor, there was almost no development in Kaohsiung City.
Third, although he is the model of a hard-working public official, Wu should listen to more than his superiors. As mayor, he was always eyeing a Cabinet job, giving the public a feeling that he was hoping to get a promotion from then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝). What worries me now is that since Wu used to be so obedient to the central government, he might now listen to his “superiors” in Beijing and pander to President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his China policies. If this proves true, Taiwan’s sovereignty would further lean toward China and the fundamental rights of Taiwanese would not be secure.
Wu is a clever and quick-tongued politician. Yet being a politician takes not only a silver tongue, but also a long-term perspective and decisive action.
It is clear that Wu still has room to improve and he will be closely watched in his new post.
Lin Yung-chien is a former vice mayor of Kaohsiung.
TRANSLATED BY TED YANG
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