Lawmakers from across the political spectrum yesterday denounced the government's plan to vet those who wish to hold sensitive government positions, saying it smacks of McCarthyism.
On Friday, the Cabinet's Central Personnel Administration approved a draft measure that proposes conducting loyalty checks on government employees involved in national security.
If adopted by the Cabinet, the measure could go into effect by the end of August at the earliest. Only civilian officials would be subject to the loyalty checks, which would be carried out when they start a new job or change positions.
KMT Legislator Huang Teh-fu (黃德福) said he understands the importance of national security but finds the proposal preposterous.
"It is impractical to measure one's loyalty," Huang said. "The government would have great difficulty implementing the proposal. It reminds one of McCarthyism during the 1950s when then US senator Joseph McCarthy frequently attacked political foes by charging them with suspicious associations with communist organizations."
The proposed loyalty checks would cover any criminal records for treason, espionage, terrorist acts and unauthorized contacts with officials from China, Hong Kong or Macau.
Government workers whose family members or in-laws have ever resided or been employed in these areas are also subject to the checks, as are people qualified for citizenship or welfare in another country.
But the KMT lawmaker argued that existing immigration and anti-corruption agencies should suffice as gatekeepers.
"To my knowledge, only a small number of government employees have access to state secrets," he said.
DPP legislative whip Wang Tuoh (
Though agreeing with the need to beef up national security, Wang dismissed the suggested practice as both outdated and undemocratic.
"In a world increasingly marked by globalization, there will be more and more contacts between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," he said.
"The government cannot conduct loyalty checks on its employees because their families or relatives come from China or choose to live there."
Wang, a former political prisoner, added that the planned measure would violate the spirit of freedom and democracy -- an area where Taiwan has proudly distinguished itself from China.
The loyalty checks would also be applied to people who attempt to overthrow the government and who have associations with dissidents.
Lee Jo-1 (李若一), deputy director-general of the Central Personnel Administration, said that many other countries engage in such checks, from which elected and appointed officials would be exempt.
PFP legislative leader Diane Lee (
Lee blasted the DPP for being inconsistent, noting it had condemned political investigations while in opposition.
"It would be ironic for it to champion the practices now that it is in power," she said.
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