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Former DPP lawmaker tapped for FSC position

The Cabinet has tapped former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Charles Chiang (江昭儀) to take up the politically appointed vice chairman's post at the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) -- a position left vacant since Lu Daung-yen (呂東英) was made the body's acting head in August 2006.

Facing a term of just more than three months, Chiang yesterday vowed to carry out his tasks to the best of his abilities.

"The premier's office has talked to me about taking over the post, but nothing has been finalized yet," Chiang told the Taipei Times in a telephone interview yesterday.

But Government Information Office Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) confirmed yesterday that Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) had appointed Chiang as an FSC vice chairman.

The commission, however, said that it was not aware of Chiang's appointment.

Commission administrative vice chairwoman Susan Chang (張秀蓮) yesterday told reporters that, although the nomination was within the Cabinet's and the president's power, "the commission hasn't been informed."

She said all vacancies, including a replacement for former member Lin Chung-cheng (林忠正), whose term also ends in three months, should be filled as soon as possible to ensure the commission's smooth operation.

The appointment came four days ahead of Saturday's presidential election, which will put Chang's Cabinet in a caretaker role until a new government is formed on May 20.

Chang said last Tuesday that neither civil servants nor politically appointed officials would be reshuffled between the election and May 20.

When questioned by reporters about the appropriateness of the appointment, Chang yesterday defended its legitimacy.

"The decision was made in accordance with the Civil Service Employment Act (公務人員任用法). As long as we are still in government, we have to do our job. I had no ulterior motives," Chang said.

Once his appointment is finalized, Chiang will replace Lu and serve the remainder of Lu's four-year term, which began in July 2004 and ends on June 30 this year.

Chiang said he would use his 30 years of accounting experience to help beef up the commission's regulation of the banking and securities sectors.

He said that he was familiar with the commission's affairs, as he had been a member of the legislature's finance committee, which oversees the commission, for several years.

Chiang, 64, was elected as a legislator for two terms between 2001 and February this year after serving as a member of the now defunct National Assembly.

Certified as a financial accountant in the US, Chiang holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Memphis, Tennessee.

Before returning to Taiwan, Chiang was a long-standing member of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, headquartered in Washington, and chaired the DPP's US headquarters.
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