Pledging to act as a lubricant between the Executive Yuan, the legislature, the media and DPP headquarters, freshman DPP legislator-at-large Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) yesterday took over the role of Cabinet secretary-general, making the 43-year-old the youngest-ever Cabinet secretary-general and the first woman to hold the position.
At a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Executive Yuan yesterday morning, Liu said she had mixed feelings about her new role.
"I'm nervous but thrilled about the new position," said Liu. "Overall, I'm confident that I'll do a good job."
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Liu's job will revolve around negotiations and interactions with the Legislative Yuan, the media and DPP headquarters.
"The job may sound easy but it can be difficult as well," she said.
Liu also introduced the "three no's" for her new job: no dull atmosphere, no bureaucracy and hopefully, no wrinkles.
"Many people have warned me before I take the job that it's so heavy duty that it could give me a lot of wrinkles," she said.
In addition to wishing good luck to outgoing Cabinet Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元), who is running for Taipei mayor, Premier Yu Shyi-kun praised Liu as a woman who "has a great sense of humor" and is "firm and capable."
"I'm sure we'll make a good team," Yu said.
Liu, who holds a master's degree in environmental engineering from Oklahoma University, once served as the director of the Bureau of Environmental Protection at the Taipei City Government when President Chen Shui-bian (
She later took up the post of deputy commissioner of Taichung County and has been a member of the DPP's Central Standing Committee for nine years.
During a chat with the media at the Executive Yuan yesterday afternoon, Liu told reporters that she would exercise the greatest amount of goodwill and patience when dealing with the Cabinet, the legislature and DPP headquarters.
"I know it's impossible for me to improve the relationship between the Cabinet and the legislature all by myself, but I'll show the utmost sincerity in dealing with them," she said.
As for the interaction between the Cabinet and the party, Liu said she will do her best to help push for the realization of some of the party's platform.
"As an administrative officer, it's my duty to assist the government to put into reality the ruling party's platform," she said.
"It may include those policies dealing with the interests of the disadvantaged or the fair allocation of government resources."
Liu also dismissed speculation that her appointment was made to reduce factional discord within the DPP.
"I don't believe that my appointment has anything to do with factional balance, but instead has to do with my ability," said Liu, a member of the party's New Tide faction.
Some of the factions have grumbled that they are underrepresented in important government positions.
As for marriage, the well-established single woman is strict when it comes to guarding her own privacy.
"I'm open to any kind of questions except for those which are sensational, violent, pornographic or personal," she said.
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