Ma said he would cancel Oct 10 National Day celebrations and his visit to a South Pacific regional summit to concentrate on handling the disaster.

He unveiled a series of measures, including setting up a national disaster prevention agency, buying 15 search-and-rescue helicopters at $300 million from the US and authorising the military to make disaster rescue a 'core task'.

The disaster response has posed the biggest challenge to the rule of Ma, who won election in March last year, as many questioned his ability to run the country and handle emergencies.

In recent days, the Presidential Office's website has been jammed with public criticism of the government's slow handling of the disaster.

A telephone poll of 1,847 adults by Taiwan's Apple Daily showed 53 percent wanted Ma to resign, 36 percent wanted him to stay and 11 percent had no opinion.

Since taking office in May 2008, Ma has stabilised Taiwan's economy and forged reconciliation with China, including opening air, sea, postal and tourism links. His public image is one of being a man of integrity but indecisive.

On Tuesday, Ma defended his leadership style, saying he believed he was decisive and strong as reflected by his swift order for the military to join in the search and rescue efforts.

Under Taiwan law, Ma can serve two four-year terms. He has expressed interest in running for re-election in the 2012 election so he can fulfill his dream of improving the island's economy and achieving peaceful co-existence with China.