Tue, Apr 12, 2005 page3

• Su skilled at turning adversity into advantage

  • By Jewel Huang / STAFF REPORTER
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  Mocking his bald head as a "light bulb" while stressing that it "illuminates" people, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) is good at transforming a defect into a competitive edge and turning adversity into advantage. As one of the hopefuls for the 2008 presidential election, taking the helm of the DPP might be another chance for Su to prove his ability to turn a seemingly adverse political situation to his advantage.

  When Su stepped down from his post of Presidential Office secretary-general in February and took over as DPP chairman, many people considered it a career setback, given that Su's potential competitor for the 2008 presidency, Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), had been appointed premier by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

  However, taking on the DPP chairmanship may provide a stepping-stone for Su to move on a higher position, said Ho Jung-hsing (何榮幸), a senior political reporter at the China Times.

  Ho wrote a biography of Su that was published in 2003 and became a bestseller.

  "I think being a staff assistant in the Presidential Office is rather out of tune with Su's personality, because he is the sort of person who enjoys directing people, rather than being directed," Ho said.

  "Being a party chairman is a better fit for Su's talents and experience, and I believe he will perform better in this position," Ho said.

  The impressive large-scale march held on March 26 to protest China's passage of the "Anti-Secession" Law showed Su's ability to execute, as well as his activism.

  As the major organizer of the event, Su visited the leaders of 34 social groups and won their support in only two weeks. Su achieved the goal of appealing to about 1 million people to join in the march, successfully voicing to the world Taiwan's strong opposition to China's threats.

  After knowing Su for more than 10 years, Ho said one question about Su is often on his mind -- "why does he always work so hard?"

  "He is totally a workaholic and you can feel his earnestness in everything he does," Ho said.

  Having served as Pingtung county commissioner and Taipei county commissioner, Su is notorious for making high demands of his subordinates. He was also known for carrying out several major construction projects.

  Coming from a family in which both parents are low-ranking public servants, Su, 58, believes that providing the best quality of life to the people is every government official's responsibility. Therefore, he values order and rules and emphasizes efficiency and integrity, leading him to be more of a pragmatist than a liberal, Ho said.

  "Although he is a reformer in political beliefs, Su opposes excessive liberalism and thus is often criticized as a conservative," Ho said. "He makes high demands on himself and as well as others. He is the kind of person who chooses what is good and holds fast to it and is proud of it."

  Since Su places high demands on his subordinates, it is unavoidable that some fall short of his expectations. But for a perfectionist like Su, it is difficult to ask him to lower his standards. Consequently, for Su and those who work with him, the atmosphere is often like working in pressure cooker, Ho said.

  Wu Bing-ray (吳秉叡), a DPP legislator from Taipei County who served as a secretary to Su in the Taipei County Government in the late 1990s, said he doesn't think Su is as difficult and critical as others may say, adding that a rigorous official is a blessing to citizens, although he or she may pose a problem to those with a less stringent work ethic.

  "Su is strict with himself and demands his subordinates be conscientious in their work too," Wu said. "I have no complaint about his working philosophy because I know that what he does is for the sake of the people, not for himself."

  Wu said that the success of a series of renovations in Taipei County was attributable to Su's exacting demands. The establishment of Taipei University at Sanhsia and waterfront renovations in Erchung and Pali, which turned them into popular leisure parks in Taipei County, are some of Su's accomplishments.

  "Su is scrupulous about every detail. Whenever we began any major construction work in Taipei County, Su would frequently oversee those sites in person -- not just once but several times a week," Wu said.

  This won Su the nickname "taskmaster commissioner," Wu said.

  As stern as he is, Su is actually a humorous person, with a quick wit. He always jokes about his bald head and his self-mocking style makes a favorable impression on many. His pet phrase "charge, charge, charge" has even become a greeting whenever people meet him.

  "If you compare Su with Hsieh, who are both political animals, I would say Su is warmer and Hsieh is cooler," Ho said.

  Huang Heng-o (黃恆娥), who has been special assistant to Su for more than 25 years -- since Su was a lawyer -- said that Su is a family man who loves to spend time with his wife, three daughters and two dogs.

  "Although Su is a quick-tempered person, he targets the problem itself, not the people who created it. Actually he often patiently teaches people how to do things." Huang said. "Some people criticize Su as being like oppressive officials of ancient times, but I would say he is the most righteous person I've ever met," Huang said.

  "Although Su has been through a lot of ups and downs during his political career, he never gave up," Huang said. "No matter what he does, he always gives his all and makes what he wants to happen, happen."

  For your information

  Su Tseng-chang

  * Date of birth: July 28, 1947 * Place of Birth: Pingtung City * Education: Law School, National Taiwan University * Career: Lawyer, provincial councilor, Pingtung county commissioner, Taipei county legislator, Taipei county commissioner, presidential office secretary-general, DPP chairman * Major accomplishments: Served as one of the defense attorneys for the accused in the Kaohsiung Incident in 1979 and was elected as Taipei county commissioner representing the DPP in 1997 * Interests and hobbies: Walking his dogs, reading books, spending time with family
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