Former Presidential Office deputy secretary-general Chen Che-nan (陳哲男) was formally expelled from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday because of his alleged involvement in the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp (KRTC) scandal, in a resolution passed by the DPP's central evaluation committee.
The chief of the DPP's central evaluation committee Gao Jyh-peng (
Blackened image
Gao pointed out that although the KRTC scandal is still under investigation, Chen Che-nan's repeated evasions, his gambling trip to Korea and travel without requesting leave have all seriously damaged the DPP's reputation.
Gao compared Chen's conduct to the misleading statements of People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜).
"It is was virtually the same as when Soong [told] the public that he did not have houses in Hawaii, when it turned out that he owned five houses in LA," Gao said.
On Oct.13, Chen Che-nan said that he had never been to Incheon in South Korea. But then a picture was made public during a talk show on the television station TVBS showing him and former KRTC vice chairman Chen Min-hsien (陳敏賢) in a casino in South Korea's Cheju Island in 2002.
Five-year break
Although Chen Che-nan himself said that he would withdraw from the DPP on Friday night, Gao said that the procedure of Chen Che-nan's withdrawal from the DPP was not so simple, because the DPP must also receive related documents such as a member's party card.
According to DPP regulations, people who quit the party cannot rejoin for two years. Those like Chen Che-nan who are expelled by the party's central evaluation committee are barred from the party for five years.
"The DPP considers that Chen [Che-nan]'s withdrawal from the party would not completely enforce DPP party discipline and satisfy the public," Gao said. "Therefore, the central evaluation committee passed the resolution made by the provisional central standing committee held Saturday night, and expelled him from the DPP."
Enforcing discipline
Gao pointed out that the DPP is determined to protect the party's image and implement party discipline. Chen Che-nan's expulsion was considered necessary as he has already critically hurt the DPP's reputation.
"I would also like to apologize to our supporters and promise on the DPP's behalf that we will take action and request other members to follow the highest standards in order to defend the DPP's name," he said.
The DPP will also conduct a revision of party discipline and push high moral standards for members to protect the party's image, Gao added.
Responding to the DPP's decision on Chen Che-nan, Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu made the remarks in Tainan County, where she joined election campaign activities to promote her DPP party comrade, incumbent Tainan County Commissioner Su Huan-chih (
Meanwhile, opposition legislators yesterday urged the Presidential Office to take back medals awarded to Chen Che-nan.
At a press conference held yesterday by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus, legislators said Chen Che-nan did not deserve to keep his awards. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) conferred two orders upon Chen Che-nan.
One was a second-class medal of the Order of the Brilliant Star (景星勳章) in 2002 and the other, which is a higher honor, was the Order of Propitious Clouds (卿雲勳章) last year.
"We believe that president Chen has abused such honorable medals to please his comrades in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)," KMT caucus whip Pan Wei-kang (
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS