Ma Ying-jeou begins a 'long stay' movement
The China Post news staff TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Cabinet ministers-designate are more than willing and ready to join in a "long stay" movement Ma Ying-jeou, president-elect, accidentally kicked off on Saturday. At a meeting marking the 20th anniversary of the I-kuan Tao General Assembly, Ma said he thought he learned a lot during his "long stay" campaign in the run-up to the presidential election on March 22. "So I think in the future all ministers, including the minister of education in particular, should go to the country for a long stay," said Ma at the meeting at Shihkang, near Taichung. I-kuan Tao, or the religion of one unity, draws upon both traditional Chinese teachings and each of the worlds major religions. It attempts to identify common principles within Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. The Cabinet to be installed on May 20 has to follow the leader. Ma wanted new political appointees to follow his example. He came to know what was actually going on in Taiwan during his "long stay" program, which lasted close to 100 days. Of course, Ma does not want all Cabinet ministers to stay that long away from their offices. "Cabinet ministers," a Ma assistant said, "need to know what the people in the countryside really want. And that's why the president wants them to make field trips." "I have no problem whatsoever to have a long stay," said Wang Ching-feng, minister of justice-designate. "I wish to stay with the people in villages long enough to know what they really expect of us," she pointed out. She wants to know how to combat crime more efficiently, in particular. Chen Wu-hsiung, the new chairman of the Council of Agriculture, said he used to be a good "long stay" practitioner. He served as provincial commissioner of agriculture and forestry and visited rural villages during his tenure before 2000. "I'll continue to do so," Chen promised. Liao Feng-te, minister of justice-designate, wished to start a long stay as soon as he is sworn in. "I am ready," he promised. Moreover, Liao said, he is ready to help his new Cabinet colleagues to "find places for a long stay." "Many of them are academics, and they have no experience in staying with the people they need to know better," he added. "There I can be of great help," Liao said. "I can make arrangements for them." Dr. Lin Fang-yu, minister of health-designate, said he would like to have a long stay in east Taiwan. Why east Taiwan? Public health in east Taiwan is below standard, said Dr. Lin, who wants to be a country doctor when he retires. "Once my work at the Department of Health does not need my personal attention," he pointed out, "I'll let my deputy act for me and go to east Taiwan for a long stay." Some have reservation.
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http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/04/28/153904/Ma%2DYing%2Djeou.htm

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