KMT tosses out Lin Hsin-yi for nuclear stance

KMT Central Headquarters formally expelled Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-yi (林信義) yesterday and suspended the membership of legislator Eugene Jao (趙永清).

The moves, enacted by the party's Evaluation and Discipline Committee (考核紀律委員會), were part of the KMT's formal disciplinary action against those members who have violated the party's platform.

Lin, despite being a KMT member, endorsed the DPP's policy to oppose completion of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant project.

"Lin did not request the party's approval before joining the DPP government," said Chien Wei-chang (簡維章), director-general of the committee, "and he disregarded the people's interests by opposing the nuclear power plant's construction."

Chien said that all 14 members of the committee agreed that Lin should be expelled, saying that Lin "supported the DPP's irrational ideology of opposing the nuclear power plant, which has caused obvious instability in Taiwan's society and seriously damaged economic development.

"As for Jao, he is an earnest party lawmaker, who was elected in Taipei County and who faced severe pressure from anti-nuclear members of his constituency," Chien said. "So we [the committee] have decided only to suspend his membership."

Jao will lose eligibility for nomination as a KMT candidate in any election next year and Lin must wait two years before applying to rejoin the KMT.

Upon learning of his expulsion, Lin told reporters yesterday that he had no comment.

"I have done my best for the country, and I have a clear conscience," Lin said. "I have absolutely no intention of becoming a DPP member at the moment."

Jao's reaction was stronger. He said the KMT should review its policies instead of punishing dissent.

"Since KMT leaders declared that the party would be reformed after losing the presidential election, we have found that many members with a positive public image have been disciplined while those with negative public images have remained in the party," Jao said.

"The public will surely question the sincerity of the KMT's desire to reform itself," he said.

Jao also said that he was considering the possibility of either running as an independent in elections for county commissioner next year or joining the DPP to stand for election as a party legislator.