Pressure on Ma as health chief quits to run for magistracy

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou appears to be facing a leadership test as Kuomintang chairman even before he officially assumes the post.

Yeh Chin-chuan, a confidant, came under fire for quitting as health minister to run for the Hualien county magistracy despite an increase in swine flu cluster infections. Maverick members also defied the party's will by announcing their plans to run for year-end local government polls without KMT approval.

Political analysts said the challenges Mr Ma faced could be bigger than he had originally thought, but this was a political risk he would have to take after he chose to break his promise by doubling as the party leader. Mr Ma, who won the party's top post in an uncontested race on July 26, is scheduled to be sworn in as chairman on September 12.

In a hastily called news conference yesterday, Dr Yeh announced his bid to run in the KMT primary.

'Premier Liu Chao-shiuan has already approved my resignation,' Dr Yeh said. 'After all, being the health minister was originally not in my career plan.'

His resignation statement drew fire from some members of the public and legislators from both ruling and opposition parties.

'This was very bad timing in making such a bad decision,' KMT legislator Chiu Yi said. 'In the outbreak of swine flu in Taiwan, including reports of the first fatality as well as cluster infections involving more than 600, [Dr Yeh's] resignation means being elected is more important than controlling the epidemic.'