Both the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucuses expressed their reservations yesterday about some members of the new Cabinet.
KMT caucus secretary-general Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) told a news conference that Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) failed to recruit talent from outside the government, adding that the Cabinet reshuffle was merely a reshuffle within the administration.
Lu also expressed concern that new Minister of the Interior Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺), might not be able to win the hearts of the public, especially at the grassroots level, despite his academic credentials.
Lu said he could not comment on the qualification of the new minister of foreign affairs because he was not familiar with Timothy Yang (楊進添) at all.
DPP Policy Research Committee head Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said the new Cabinet members were like “little Ma Ying-jeous.”
Ker said he had never heard of Yang, adding that Minister of Education Wu Ching-chi (吳清基) was more of a politician, noting that he had represented the KMT in an unsuccessful bid for Tainan County commissioner.
DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) said she “laughed out loud throughout the night” after learning of the new line-up. She did not elaborate.
When approached for comment on her way to the DPP caucus’ meeting at the legislature, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said the appointment of new Cabinet members showed that the KMT had politics in mind.
Tsai urged the new Cabinet to respect the DPP, adding that the party could engage in “meaningful communication” with the KMT if the DPP were accorded respect.
Meanwhile, the new premier canceled his plan to visit the DPP caucus after the caucus said Wu should visit another time as many of its members were helping with post-typhoon reconstruction in the south.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
NATIONAL SECURITY: Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the military personnel involved and investigating possible illegal conduct and regulatory violations Authorities are probing possible national security implications after Kinmen police and immigration officers on Sunday found a Chinese woman allegedly posing as a tourist while engaging in prostitution involving more than 10 military personnel. The woman, surnamed Chen (陳), has since been deported, authorities said, adding that investigators are still working to confirm the identities of those implicated, as the records only listed code names and aliases. The case stemmed from a report received by the Kinmen District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday last week from the Jinhu Precinct of the Kinmen County Police Bureau. On Sunday, police, along with the National Immigration
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
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