On First Day of Pay Freeze, Cho Jung-tai Says He Will Carry Out His Duties

Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said he would continue working normally after lawmakers froze his salary for the final four months of the year, telling reporters that public officials should not be swayed by money.

Cho made the comments while attending an event at Taichung Port. Asked whether he would discuss the first day of the freeze and whether he would go on strike, he said he had not yet entered the Executive Yuan that day. He said government personnel receive salaries from the state and the people and must carry out their work according to law.

The premier said officials would not cater to the preferences of individual legislators. He also said public servants should put aside both the temptation of money and financial threats.

“I only hope that the Legislative Yuan can complete its budget review within the constitutional deadline set by law, so that the country’s policies and construction can move forward,” Cho said. “As for me, as long as I stand on justice and the right path, the world will naturally be balanced for me.”

The Kuomintang legislative caucus proposed cutting NT$121.86 million from the Executive Yuan’s operating expenses for September through December, along with NT$1.502 million from the premier’s special allowance. Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling separately proposed freezing Cho’s salary for the same period. Both measures passed with the opposition camp’s numerical advantage.

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I only hope that the Legislative Yuan can complete its budget review within the constitutional deadline set by law, so that the country’s policies and construction can move forward. As for me, as long as I stand on justice and the right path, the world will naturally be balanced for me. Thank you.