Taipei City Department of Health chief Mark Sung resigned abruptly on Thursday, while taking issue with what he called the mayors "arbitrary style of governance" and what he also called the "inappropriate use of theories" that were a part of the mayors campaign strategy.

Mayor Hau Lung-bin （郝龍斌）, inaugurated less than 40 days ago, said he had no prior knowledge of the resignation but that he will respect Sungs decision. Hau denied Sungs accusations but made no attempt to retain him and immediately announced that Sungs deputy Deng Su-wen would be elevated to the top post in the citys health department.

Sung announced his resignation at an impromptu press conference held at the citys DOH on Thursday.

"I am disheartened at the mayors rule by fear," Sung charged, adding he was disappointed that a "non-medical person" was "meddling in the citys professional medical affairs."

Sung was referring to the mayors firing of two hospital directors within his jurisdiction without consulting the DOH chief. He also complained about the mayors criticism of the DOH as dodging responsibility when a scandal surrounding a post-natal care center broke out.

"We launched a probe into the case the day after the scandal broke," Sung said, "The entire investigation was completed within two weeks. I do not believe we are guilty of negligence."

Sung claimed the mayor "cast fear" over the department when he asked to see a list of all staff members.

"It was like the White Terror. Everyone was in constant fear of losing their jobs," he claimed.

Sung likened the relations between the mayor and the health department to those between the Ministry of Defense and its various command centers, saying that Haus policies would rob the DOH of its authority to properly manage the affairs under its jurisdiction.

Under Haus approach, the DOH would have no clue about the policies and regulations of the citys public hospitals, Sung claimed.

"The merger of the various city hospitals took place two years ago. I agree there is still much room for improvement, but I believe some good has come out it. There are still many issues to be settled, such as drug procurement policy and reorganizing existing regulations. However, I was never consulted on any of the changes," he said.

Sung said that since he did not foresee that his ideals would be realized under Haus administration, it would be better for the mayor to replace him.

Hau responded by saying that Sung was the first person on his contact list when he decided to replace the two hospital directors.

"I run a clean administration and therefore I would never meddle in drug procurement affairs. Regarding the post-natal care center scandal, I believe I handled the entire case appropriately," the mayor asserted, but promised to look into whether he had violated Sungs jurisdiction.