Taiwan President Ma expected to quit after mass KMT resignations

[CityFarmer]

Taiwan President Ma expected to quit after mass KMT resignations

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s entire cabinet resigned today (Dec 1) after the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party suffered its worst defeat in local elections on Saturday. The KMT lost control of districts across the country, including the mayor’s office in the capital, Taipei.

Premier Dr Jiang Yi-huah led 80 members of his Cabinet to resign en masse following the defeat. Dr Jiang resigned on Saturday in order to assume responsibility for the KMT’s worst electoral setback since coming to power in 1949.

A caretaker administration will remain in office until after President Ma Ying-jeou appoints a new cabinet head, Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun said.

Party officials said Sunday that Mr Ma was also expected to resign as chairman of the KMT following the defeat, but other sources said that probably wouldn’t happen until at least Wednesday.

Analysts said the move would set off a new power struggle within the party and erode the KMT’s chances in the 2016 presidential poll if the infighting persisted.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/ch...signations

[CityFarmer]

The previous months-long effort might be wasted...

Taiwan president steps down as chairman of KMT

TAIPEI — Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou handed in his resignation as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party today (Dec 2) after a huge defeat in the local elections over the weekend that cast a shadow over his pro-China policies.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/ch...airman-kmt

[yeokiwi]

Newly-elected Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has set a goal for the capital city: to overtake Singapore within eight years.

Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan and Keelung are roughly equal to the "national strength" of Singapore and, if these four cities work together, they could surpass Singapore, Dr Ko said in an interview with Taiwan's United Daily News published on Sunday.

The 55-year-old doctor, who ran as an independent candidate, defeated ruling Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Sean Lien, 44, in last Saturday's local elections.

Dr Ko, in a separate interview with Liberty Times yesterday, said his first priority after taking office on December 25 is to change the bureaucratic culture in the city government and to roll out a 2050 Taipei City plan.

Asked how he intends to help Taipei overtake Singapore, Dr Ko said there are "indicators" to refer to in terms of what policies or inventions are needed in the competition among cities.

He also said Taipei's education system, standard of living and social welfare system will be different in the future.

He told The Straits Times in an interview last Friday that Singapore "is a very good model for Taiwan, especially given the similarities in our cultures".

"The area I hope we can learn most from Singapore is in the productivity and efficiency of its public servants," he said.

He said he hopes to lead a delegation to Singapore to have a deeper understanding of how this is achieved.

Singapore GDP = 297.9 billion USD ‎(2013) Population = 5.4 million
Taiwan GDP = 474 billion USD (2012) Population = 23.3 million.

Hmmm... maybe it might be possible for the entire taiwan to miraculously catch up.
But for just four cities - Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan and Keelung??

Singapore needs to screw up quite badly in order for it to happen.

[corydorus]

There are few critical problems which i see is pretty obvious using Singapore as a reference.

1. There is lots of fierce internal fighting within KMT. The defeat is more on the disunity of the KMT.
The speaker of the house (KMT) can hold the country hostage. In practice, his power appears to be larger than the President and Premier. In Singapore, PM and key ministers basically calls the shot.

2. Neither do they be able to attract talented people. Salary is really poor in administration and minister level. There is a serious lack of respect for government officials. Which is why i have been very supportive we should pay our civil service well and reasonable control of the Media.

3. Basically i do not think the society as a whole is ready to embrace the high degree of freedom which tends to be abused by the rich to support demonstration, influence party, sponsor media and encourage corruption ( specifically property developers ). They all have the money to influence the population to a great extend.

4. Education standards need to be reviewed. Currently more than 90% obtains degree. This create havoc in job markets and do not differentiate social needs at different levels with appropriate rewards. Many poor in English.

However this country has a lot of potentials. Sadly untapped and mismanaged. I agreed that Singapore will be further ahead before they have chance to get better.