Written by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
Friday, 14 August 2009 12:41
With the onslaught of Typhoon Morakot, Ma Ying-jeou's leadership skills proved sorely lacking.
So as the country of Taiwan struggles to recover, it is time for its citizens to give President Ma a
second look. Not just a second look but a long hard second look. This is the man that promised
them 6-3-3 and gave them 3-3-6. This is the man who lived on promises but never had a good
track record for performance as Mayor of Taipei. This is the man who ironically is already talking
like he should be re-elected in 2012. And finally, this is the man that wants the people to give
him complete blind trust and not ask for details as he presses for a potentially dangerous ECFA
agreement with China.
Based on his past poor performance, many in Taiwan had referred to Ma as Ma Ying-joke;
others referred to him as the "Phony Pony." And there are some who even refer to him as "Ma
Ying-jerk." But now with the totally inadequate response of Ma's government to the floods, he is
gaining new names.
"Pass the Buck Ma"
After the destruction of the typhoon and after a week with the yet to be realized response of
Ma's government, Ma has resorted to the blame game. First it was the Central Weather
Bureau's fault for not giving a strong enough warning to prepare for the typhoon. Then it was
the local magistrates fault for not solving the problem despite the fact that they had had no
budget from the central government. They were of course from the opposition party. Then it was
the people's fault for not getting out of the way of the floods. The people in Ma's words were not
as "fully prepared" as they should have been. In the end, it was just about everyone's fault
except Ma's. After all, he is only the president.
"My Heart's in China Ma"
Ma had led the charge in asking for donations and promoting help for China after the
destruction from the Sichuan earthquakes. As he put it, "our Chinese brothers are suffering."
Now when it called for help for the people in southern Taiwan, well they are not "Chinese
brothers," they are Taiwanese; they should have known better.
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Typhoon Morakot and the Many Names of Ma Ying-jeou
Written by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
Friday, 14 August 2009 12:41
"Fair Weather Ma"
When Ma was looking for votes for elections he made his touted "long stay" in the south to
show he was responsive to the needs of the people. Now that the people were actually suffering
and in need of the government's help, Ma made a brief appearance, got testy with the people
asking for too much help and made a quick exit. The extent of his compassion was to say "You
should have prepared yourselves better." (Isn't the government supposed to be the one
responsible for national disasters and national relief?)
"Where's my Script Ma?"
In press conferences Ma always has a prepared script. In interviews, he insists on having the
questions beforehand. In a normal situation with the people he always has some paternal
phrases that he can throw out, but here when he has to confront the emotional needs of his
people, Ma does not know what to say. The people are supposed to be in awe of his words; he
should not have to answer to their needs. In confronting the suffering people of the stricken
area, Ma showed extreme discomfort. They were asking him for solutions but he only knows
how to give out pat phrases. They were asking for action but he only knows how to provide
promises.
"Too Little Too Late Ma"
This name is still developing for it is a week after the typhoon and the government has yet to
fully respond. They have blamed others; they have refused help, but they have not yet done that
much. Ma does not know how to have empathy with the Taiwanese. He does not know how to
take charge.
"Should I Consult China Ma?"
A big challenge for Ma has been how to handle the potential problem of China providing help.
Ma has gone out of his way this past year to placate China and downplay any hints that China
and Taiwan are separate countries. Here he did not want to appear to be asking China's
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Typhoon Morakot and the Many Names of Ma Ying-jeou
Written by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
Friday, 14 August 2009 12:41
permission but at the same time does not want to appear to be acting totally separate from
China. When the USA and Japan offered assistance before Ma'government had responded, Ma
turned it down. Help was needed but it was being offered to Taiwan as a separate country. Ma's
final response was that he had everything under control. Ma would rather let the Taiwanese
suffer than to create an awkward situation with China.
Phony Pony, Ma Ying-joke, Ma Ying-jerk, the names keep coming. Take your pick. About the
only name that this typhoon has shown he should not have is that of President of Taiwan. Ironic
isn't it. Any suggestions?
Source: Jerome F. Keating's writings
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