Fri, Oct 26, 2001 page2

• Ma Ying-jeou can do no wrong

  GQ MAYOR Though the mayor's performance during Typhoon Nari was considered poor, academics say Ma's good looks and charisma make him immune to criticism

  • By Ko Shu-ling / STAFF REPORTER
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  He's dashing, he's debonair, he's dynamic. He's articulate, charming and popular. Whenever he's in the room, the ladies swoon.

  Hailing from a well-heeled family and blessed with good looks, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) can do no wrong.

  The Control Yuan launched a probe on Wednesday to investigate the mayor's performance during Typhoon Nari -- seeking to learn why adequate precautions weren't taken in advance of a storm that flooded many of the city's main streets, killed 27 residents and left the MRT system in a shambles.

  

  Control Yuan members question Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, left, over the city's handling of the damages caused by Typhoon Nari.

  PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

  But according to a recent survey conducted by the city's Commission of Research, Development and Evaluation, a sizeable portion of Taipei's population said they were satisfied with the city government's performance during the storm.

  According to the poll, more than 48 percent of city residents were content with Taipei's traffic situation in the storm's aftermath.

  This, despite the fact that parts of the MRT system still remain out of service.

  Many political observers say Ma's good looks and charisma make him immune to criticism.

  In fact, since taking office in December 1998, not a single opinion poll -- including those conducted by private groups as well as the city government -- has ever put Ma in a negative light.

  Deciphering the myth

  Academics point to Ma's overwhelming popularity as the reason why many people are willing to overlook his shortcomings as a public servant. They call it the "charisma phenomenon" -- a form of idolatry.

  "Those who like Mayor Ma are infatuated with his charisma," said Ku Chung-hwa (顧忠華), a professor of sociology at National Chengchi University and president of the Taipei Society. "They may either justify his blunders or simply ignore them."

  And though Typhoon Nari hit many residents hard and caused more than NT$10 billion in estimated damages, few were willing to blame Taipei's GQ mayor.

  "It's because he's idolized. When the majority supports him no matter what he does, he's invincible," Ku said. "It may not sound fair that other politicians are not as popular as he is, but that's the cruel reality of politics."

  Ma's popularity extends beyond an adoring public. He also enjoys a good rapport with the city council -- the watchdog that is supposed to act as a check on the city government.

  Still, the mayor rarely encounters any opposition on a city council floor run by a KMT majority allied with the People First Party and New Party.

  But while Ma could expect to enjoy good relations with his KMT fellows, that does little to explain why many from the media -- except for liberal outlets -- are infatuated with the mayor.

  "Local media have been searching for their own niche since they were liberated in 1988," Ku said. "It may take them a while to be genuinely objective and impartial in their news coverage."

  Take for example the media coverage of Typhoon Nari. Few newspapers or TV stations ran long pieces or special reports to criticize the relief efforts of Ma's administration -- which offered few concrete plans in the wake of the disaster.

  What the public saw instead were the typical photo-ops carefully staged by the Ma media machine: the mayor taking a bus tour of the disaster areas, the mayor handling a broom to sweep up debris, and so on.

  Good looking, but capable?

  Dubbed one of Taiwan's best-looking local politicians, Ma also boasts an impressive educational background and 20 years of training in the school of politics.

  But Ma's high approval ratings do not necessarily mean he's a capable mayor.

  "My long-term observation is that his performance over the years has been mediocre, although he does possess some positive characteristics," Ku said.

  But while Ma has successfully crafted a positive personal image of himself, does that mean he has a promising political future beyond Taipei mayor?

  "I doubt it. Politics, after all, is unpredictable and cruel," Ku said.

  "It's still too early to tell whether or not his own party would allow him to run in the 2004 presidential election, although many have said that he's one of the most dynamic presidential hopefuls."

  And although Ma is highly lauded for his temperate personality, the quality has its drawbacks.

  "Yes, it's true that the public prefers to see a politician who is gentle and modest," Ku said. "But that kind of politician tends to compromise easily and lack a sense of creativity and resolution."
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