Tue, Oct 30, 2001 page3

• Taking on the challenge of central government reform

  Lin Chia-cheng, who as chairman of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, is charged with restructuring the central government, spoke to `Taipei Times' reporter Crystal Hsu about the ambitious project

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  Taipei Times: What is this government remaking committee about?

  Lin Chia-cheng (林嘉誠): It is part of the consensus put forth by the Economic Development Advisory Conference in late August to enhance executive efficiency. The reform effort is also in line with a key plank of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) campaign platform to build a dynamic government. That explains why he has personally headed the task force.

  Some have equated the undertaking to the making of Cabinet organic law, which is definitely important but is not inclusive of the task being undertaken. As President Chen made clear on Oct. 25, the issue will dominate the first stage of the reform.

  

  Lin Chia-cheng speaks to the Taipei Times about reforming the central government.

  PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

  The second stage will address personnel and budget policies, interactions between local and central governments, including the Control Yuan and the Examination Yuan, and ties between the Presidential Office, the Cabinet and the legislature.

  Reform on such a scale is beyond the purview of the Cabinet. That is why we set up an ad hoc panel whose conclusions will not be put into effect before the government seeks support from the opposition and the general public.

  TT: What ministries does the reform committee plan to create, merge or abolish?

  Lin: Under the principles of professionalism, efficiency and convenience, we plan to slim down the government by a third in two years. Presently, there are 36 Cabinet-level ministries, councils and commissions. We hope to cut the number to 25. In fact, the matter has been under discussion for more than 10 years but to no avail, due to political and constitutional obstacles.

  This time, we intend to establish a labor ministry, which will combine the Council of Labor Affairs and National Youth Commission, as the two share much overlap in their business. We also plan to merge the Ministry of Finance and Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, as the latter agency -- responsible for preparing the central government's budget -- is rarely found in other countries in the world.

  The Research, Development and Evaluation Commission will likely merge with the Council of Economic Planning and Development, as both are charged with policy evaluation.

  We plan to merge the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission into the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively. In addition, we plan to create a culture ministry that will handle the business of the Council of Cultural Affairs and the Government Information Office (GIO).

  We also plan to create an environment and resources ministry that will take over the main business of the Environmental Protection Administration and Atomic Energy Council. We will put the National Sports Council under the Ministry of Education and create a national construction ministry that will replace the Public Construction Commission and the Interior Ministry's Construction and Planning Administration.

  Again, nothing is final yet. Only 10 of the reform committee's 25 members are from the government, the rest being academics and industry leaders. They may propose more radical change. Unlike past officials, I don't intend to submit more than one reform package, [which would] leave a real headache for my supervisors.

  TT: Will national security and intelligence agencies be adjusted?

  Lin: In light of their sensitivity, we will keep intact agencies regarding national security including the Ministry of National Defense and Mainland Affairs Council. It is better to keep them this way to avoid stirring up an ideological war. While seeking to reform, we can not ignore the diplomatic predicament facing the country. For instance, some suggest removing the Board of Foreign Trade from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and putting it under the foreign ministry, but the change would make it difficult for our trade officials to attend international trade forums.

  TT: Do you have any timetable for carrying out these reforms, when finalized?

  Lin: Yes. We plan to submit related draft legislation to the Legislative Yuan by April of next year.

  TT: Will many government employees be laid off as a result of the downsizing effort?

  Lin: Of the 600,000 civil servants, one third work for state-owned businesses. We will speed up privatization so the government doesn't have to pay heavy personnel outlays without discounting the rights of civil servants. It's inevitable some political appointees will be dismissed, though.
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