Taipei EasyCard Corp chairman Sean Lien (連勝文) yesterday announced his resignation. Accompanied by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), Lien said that his health was the reason behind his resignation. He had surgery to remove a tumor from his kidney last year.
Lien apologized to Hau for leaving the company.
“I’ve completed my mission at the company, but I need to apologize to Mayor Hau for leaving the company now and causing him trouble,” Lien said yesterday at Taipei City Hall, thanking Hau for his trust.
“Today is the happiest day in my career because I leave the company with some great achievements ... the party is over, though I believe we will meet again some day,” he told a room full of reporters.
Hau appointed Lien in August 2008 to lead the company, amid concerns that Lien was using the position to pave the way for a political career.
Lien had promised to make the EasyCard an electronic wallet and help the loss-making company turn a profit. The company achieved both goals after the EasyCard began to function as an electronic wallet at convenience stores and several bakeries and cafes starting on April 1. The company’s debt was also wiped out this year.
Hau yesterday lauded Lien, saying he expected him to go on to greater things.
“I feel really bad that Lien sacrificed his health for his work and I accepted his resignation reluctantly for the sake of his health and his family,” Hau said.
Lien declined to discuss his health condition and instead blamed “certain media outlets” for damaging his health.
“I will live a long life if the media forget about me and stop chasing me around,” he said.
Lien, son of former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰), reportedly visited doctors in China earlier this year for more treatment. He said he would work for a finance company in Hong Kong following his resignation.
When asked whether Lien would campaign for him for November’s Taipei mayoral election, Hau said he would invite Lien to campaign only if his health allowed.
Jason Lin (林志盈), general-manager of the Taipei EasyCard Corp, will double as acting chairman for the time being.
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