TAIPEI: Taiwan replaced a number of "ministers" in a "cabinet" reshuffle yesterday following public criticism over its response to a deadly typhoon. "Premier-designate" Wu Den-yih unveiled the new "cabinet" lineup last night.

Finance chief Lee Sush-der, justice chief Wang Ching-feng and transportation and communications chief Mao Chi-kuo have accepted Wu's invitation to stay on, while the interior chief, foreign affairs chief, national defense chief, economic affairs chief, and education chief have been replaced.

Timothy Chin-tien Yang, 67, a veteran diplomat with overseas experience in North America, Africa, Europe and Australia and currently Taiwan's representative to Indonesia, will replace Francisco H. L. Ou as foreign affairs chief.

Kao Hua-chu, 63, head of the Veterans Affairs Commission, will take over from Chen Chao-min as defense chief.

The new interior chief will be Jiang Yi-huah, a "cabinet" member who has been in charge of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission and who will now replace Liao Liou-yi.

Shih yen-shiang, chairman of the government-run Chinese Petroleum Corp and a former deputy economics chief, will take over as economic affairs chief, replacing Yiin Chii-ming.

Wu Ching-chi, director of Taipei City Government's Education Department, will replace Cheng Jei-cheng as education chief.

Wu was named "premier" on Monday after his predecessor Liu Chao-shiuan resigned amid criticism that the government did not act quickly or strongly enough after Typhoon Morakot drenched the island's southern mountains, triggering massive landslides and killing up to 769 people.

"The most important thing for us to do is rebuild the public's confidence," Wu said at a handover ceremony yesterday.

At least this would relieve Ma Ying-jeou of the recent mess, as that's the political impact ... of the "cabinet" change, said Alexander Huang, a strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taipei.

Ahead of the announcement, Taiwan's benchmark TAIEX share index posted its worst daily drop in two weeks, while the local currency rose to close the session at NT$32.745 to the dollar.

Agencies

(HK Edition 09/10/2009 page2)