"I've tendered my resignation to Premier Yu Shyi-kun," Hau told reporters, a move which has came as a surprise, half a year ahead of the presidential polls.

"I must take responsibility for my own ideals and policy ... I cannot implement the government's policy with which I cannot agree," said Hau, the only minister from the pro-reunification opposition New Party.

Hau's resignation came after his proposal -- that any public infrastructure project which has completed official environmental impact reports should not be subject to referenda by local residents -- was rejected by Yu at Wednesday's cabinet meeting

"If that cannot be excluded, it could be the beginning of huge disasters to Taiwan's environment," Hau said.

Taiwan's cabinet is drafting a law to pave the way for the island's historic referendum, which is slated to coincide with the next presidential polls in March, according to the Democratic Progressive Party government's plan.

Taiwan's government in July approved guidelines for the holding of referenda on controversial national policies, though it ruled out holding a vote on the island's future.

The split between Hau and the cabinet surfaced last month following a "consultative referendum" held by Pingling, a town outside Taipei and which is upstream of the capital's Fei-tsui Reservoir.

In a landside vote the town's residents demanded that the government set up an interchange while building a freeway passing the mountainous town.

But the results of the alleged "referendum" was categorically rejected by Hau who insisted that such a freeway interchange could pollute the reservoir and that referenda must not override professionalism. However the DPP government did not side with Hau.

A recent survey done by the cable television TVBS indicated Hau's public support was the highest among the cabinet.

TERRA.WIRE