President Ma Ying-jeou, who doubles as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) defended the Cabinet Tuesday, saying that in general, it has turned in a commendable performance. Ma said Taiwan's economic growth is estimated to top 8 percent this year thanks to increased domestic investment and rising consumption. Under the administration's efforts to boost employment and per capita income, the overall economic condition has improved -- a development that has not only narrowed the gap between rich and poor but has also helped reduce the number of suicides, he said. The president praised the growth in the tourism sector in particular, saying that the hospitality industry has made investments to the tune of NT$65 billion (US$2.03 billion) over the past two years to build new hotels or renovate existing ones. 'This investment has not only led the economy to thrive but has also boosted employment,' he added. Meanwhile, KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsung said that same day that the administration's excellent performance is 'clear and evident, ' and he expressed full confidence in the administrative team's work. Ma's and King's remarks came on the heels of criticism of the Cabinet's communication ability after the subject was raised by Taipei-based Broadcasting Corporation of China Chairman Jaw Shau-kong, who also serves as a special adviser to King, in a TV talk show a day earlier. According to Jaw, most members of Premier Wu Den-yih's Cabinet cannot explain government policy clearly and there is often inter-agency inconsistency. He suggested that Ma should launch a major Cabinet reshuffle before the Nov. 27 special municipality elections to 'replace 80 percent of its members.' Meanwhile, the results of a poll conducted by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party and released Tuesday show that over half of the respondents disapprove of the performance of Wu and his Cabinet one year after he assumed the premiership. 