Premier appoints Ma Yung-cheng as new minister without portfolio

Premier appoints Ma Yung-cheng as new minister without portfolio

2024-12-18

The Executive Yuan will soon get a new minister without portfolio Ma Yung-cheng. The official is known for his role in the Chen Shui-bian administration, during which he had served as Presidential Office deputy secretary-general. His tasks moving forward will include coordinating government agencies and communicating policies to the general public.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
National Security Council advisor Ma Yung-cheng will complete all the necessary procedures this week before assuming office as minister without portfolio in the Executive Yuan.

At a media dinner on Tuesday evening, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that his cabinet would be borrowing from Lai Ching-te’s talents, bringing Ma Yung-cheng to the Executive Yuan to serve as minister without portfolio.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
He is very discerning when assessing issues. He’s got a lot of experience, is very well read, and has an eye for policies and for making correct judgments. In the future I will ask him to facilitate communication between the different agencies within the Executive Yuan, as well as communicate and coordinate efforts between central and local governments.

Ma has been away from politics for some time now, but he has many years of experience in the government. He and current Straits Exchange Foundation Vice Chair Lo Wen-chia were highly valued figures by former President Chen Shui-bian and were seen by many as a key team in the government. Now, Cho is bringing back this figure from the Chen administration into the cabinet as a minister without portfolio. His main duties include communication and coordination among government agencies, and acting as a spokesperson to explain policies to the public.

Hung Meng-kai
Lawmaker (KMT)
Lo and Ma were famous early in their careers and everyone is well aware of their roles and abilities. The premier has the right to appoint personnel, but it’s not really an urgent matter.

Chen Ting-fei
Lawmaker (DPP)
His experience makes him very well suited for the role. During the Chen administration, he played an important role in communication and coordination, which is something we are really in great need of currently. Filling in this position will allow for more efficient communication and development. I think it’s good.

Sources say discussions on Ma’s appointment have been ongoing for some time. His current responsibilities at the National Security Council include roles in the defense and resilience committee, which is highly valued by President Lai. Senior officials say they hope Ma will help with coordination tasks while also filling in the last vacant position for ministers without portfolio.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

卓榮泰向賴總統借將國安諮委馬永成"出任政委"

2024-12-18

行政院長卓榮泰宣布，已向總統賴清德借將，找來國安會諮委馬永成出任行政院政委，幫忙協調跨部會業務。卓院長稱讚馬永成經驗豐富、閱歷無數，未來仰賴他跟發言人李慧芝，共同對外進行政策說明並提升內務效率，而藍綠立委聽到這人事命令，都說認可馬永成溝通能力。

[[行政院長卓榮泰]]
“國安會的諮詢委員馬永成，會在這個禮拜中完成人事程序之後，來到行政院擔任政委。”

前一晚媒體餐敘，行政院長卓榮泰突然宣布，已向賴總統借將，找來國安會現任諮詢委員馬永成，到行政院出任政委。

[[行政院長卓榮泰]]
“他在做很多判斷的時候也非常精確，所以他是經驗豐富、閱歷無數、政策敏銳、判斷精確，未來我會請他就院內各部會內部的溝通，以及中央跟地方一些事務的溝通跟協調。”

馬永成已淡出政壇多年，但資歷豐富，他跟現任海基會副董事長羅文嘉，身受前總統陳水扁倚重，被外界稱為"羅馬拍檔"，這回卓院長請來扁時期大將擔任政委、還特別強調，要多溝通協調、並跟發言人一同對外做政策說明。

[[立委(國) 洪孟楷]]
“羅、馬從過去成名甚早，政壇大家都很清楚他們過去到現在的角色跟能耐。人事任用是行政院長的權力，但真的不是當務之急。”

[[立委(民) 陳亭妃]]
“他的資歷是非常符合，過去在阿扁總統時代他就扮演很重要的溝通協調角色，溝通協調其實是現在非常欠缺的，補足了這一席然後可以有更多的溝通、發揮，我覺得剛剛好。”

據了解，府院討論這人事案，已有一段時間，而馬永成在國安會職掌業務，就包含賴總統相當重視的"防衛韌性委員會"，高層盼馬到任、能協助相關事務，也是補足政委人數。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Tourist taking selfies gets struck by moving train in Alishan

2024-12-18

UMC, AIT representatives respond to speculations on recent meeting

With Donald Trump set to impose tariffs on all countries, could more of Taiwan’s chipmakers make their way onto American soil? A recent photo showing AIT officials visiting UMC’s headquarters has stoked speculation that mature production processes could be next to move to the US. On Wednesday, both UMC and AIT responded to the speculation.

With a second Trump administration approaching, many are speculating whether more of Taiwan’s chipmakers will set up shop in the US to avoid tariffs.

A recent visit by AIT officials to United Microelectronics headquarters brought this issue to the fore. In this picture dated Nov. 21, UMC Chair Stan Hung and Presidents S. C. Chien and Jason Wang can be seen standing on the sides of AIT Director Raymond Greene, who’s in the center. Is UMC going to build a fab in the US?

Chen Tzu-ang
Consultant
It’s not very likely. The main reason being that UMC’s production focuses on mature technology, while Trump 2.0 aims at attracting investments by advanced semiconductor manufacturers.

Liu Pei-chen
Taiwan Industry Economics Services
When the time comes, it’ll be hard for UMC to decline. One reason being that the US may levy tariffs on Taiwan. That will be a challenge for the company’s operations. Another reason is that UMC’s largest clientele is in Asia.

Looking at UMC’s Q3 earnings, it’s clear that most came from Taiwan, at nearly 40% of the total share, whereas the US comes second at just over 25%. With such a large market share from the US, will UMC consider expanding there?

Chen Tzu-ang
Consultant
It’s possible that UMC may set up an R&D center, but it’s not like they’ll move their entire R&D facility to the US. The cost of setting up shop in the US is three times, even five times that in Taiwan.

On Wednesday, UMC responded that the AIT’s visit was only a regular one. Meanwhile, AIT Spokesperson Pope Thrower said a summary of the proceedings was available on Facebook. He reiterated that the two sides discussed UMC’s strategies for future growth, and that the AIT recognizes Taiwan’s crucial role in the semiconductor supply chain. Observers are on their toes watching for any activity from Taiwan’s top chipmakers.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-12-18

South Korean celeb Na Yeong-seok sings praises of Taipei food

2024-12-18

Hualien man faces fines after slingshooting own car window

2024-12-18

Dates announced for Jody Chiang’s comeback tour in Taipei and Kaohsiung

2024-12-18

Stray dog carried in cage by foot down Yushan

2024-12-18

Doctor debunks storebought bread chronic disease myth

Videos claiming that convenience store bread is dangerous for your health have recently gone viral on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. One Chinese influencer even claimed that glycerin fatty acid ester and maltodextrin, which are found in the bread, can cause cardiovascular disease. However, nutritionists have come out to debunk the claim. Doctors also warn that the thing you should really watch out for is refined carbohydrates.

The shelves of this convenience store are packed with all kinds of packaged bread. But videos going viral on Douyin lately are claiming they could make you sick.

Shopper
There’s no difference. Whether you get it from a convenience store or a bakery, it might not be good for you.

Online influencers have been sharing videos questioning why convenience store bread doesn’t go bad after leaving it out at room temperature for two weeks. The reason is that they have a lot of added preservatives. Of them, influencers are claiming that glycerin fatty acid ester and maltodextrin can cause cardiovascular disease.

However, nutritionists say the reason store-bought bread lasts a long time has to do with something called “colony count.”

Hsia Tzu-wen
Nutritionist
When large factories are producing bread, they’ll control the colony count thorough disinfection. So actually, throughout the entire process, store-bought bread has very low levels of bacteria growth.

Glycerin fatty acid ester and maltodextrin are approved preservatives used sparingly and are light on calories. Eating it in moderation will not cause chronic disease. But what is worth worrying about are refined carbohydrates and margarine.

Lin Wei-wen
Cardiologist
Margarine and also some frostings are very sweet. Margarine is hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is a trans fat that increases your chances of developing high cholesterol. So it’s not that you can’t eat bread. You can choose healthier bread, which can be good for you.

You won’t get sick from eating store-bought bread, but you should be careful not to eat too much. Doctors also say that if you’re worried about it, you can eat high-fiber five-grain bread instead.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-12-18

Taiwan International Festival of Arts to be held from February till May

2024-12-18

Temperature lows below 10 expected on Thursday morning

2024-12-18