Taipei Times: How will you divide responsibility with the two other whips Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) and Hsu Jung-shu (許榮淑), who has complained about being estranged by you and Ker?
Wang Tuoh (
Ker, the caucus convener, is known for his finesse in handling interpersonal relationships. As head of the caucus, he can do everything or nothing as he sees fit.
The caucus secretary-general, Hsu, on the other hand, will serve as a bridge between the Cabinet and the caucus, conveying the former's intentions to the latter so the two can join forces in achieving policy goals. This is a very important responsibility, as we all know that the caucus and Cabinet did not always agree in the last two years. In addition, Hsu will be given the task of promoting parliamentary diplomacy -- which I think is equally challenging.
I know that not all are happy about the arrangement, but I believe the discontent will soon subside. I expect a heavy workload ahead, and both Ker and Hsu have a lot of work to tend to. You will have to ask Hsu why she described her post as "unwanted."
TT: How do you respond to charges leveled by fellow colleague Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) that you recently joined the Justice Alliance with an eye to jockeying for power?
Wang: Lin was a junior member in the alliance himself. As a matter of fact, I briefly joined the Justice Alliance years ago at the invitation of its founder [President and then-lawmaker] Chen Shui-bian (
Later when the practice was forbidden, I chose to stay with the now-defunct Formosa faction, as former DPP chairman Hsu Hsin-liang (許信良) was a good friend of mine. Lin played no part during this episode. I admired his frankness but believe he can use more caution in his speeches.
TT: When did you join the Justice Alliance and why?
Wang: I was very much a loner after the Formosa faction disbanded following Hsu Hsin-liang's breakaway. Toward the end of last legislative session, I joined the Justice Alliance, encouraged by its members Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) and Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁). They are like nephews to me.
In the meantime, the New Tide faction also sought to recruit me. Honestly speaking, I was quite attracted to the New Tide's devotion to policy study, its effective organization and rigid discipline. But I turned down the offer in the end because I know I am not good at following orders.
Still, I am indebted to the New Tide for giving 16 of its 20 votes for my election as legislative whip. That is all I got during the election, as the Justice Alliance had pledged support for fellow colleague Chen Chi-mai, the president's favored choice for caucus leader.
TT: How come Chen Chi-mai lost the election when the Justice Alliance, with 36 members, is the largest faction?
Wang: Chen Chi-mai lost the election partly because members angry with the president took it out on him and partly because fellow senior member Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) was also eyeing the post.
Shen, who sought unsuccessfully to run for vice speaker, has slipped into a state of uncertainty about his political ambition. It was I that persuaded him to drop out of the race [for caucus leaders] to ease factional rivalry. By that time it was too late for Chen Chi-mai to muster support.
Over the years, the alliance has revolved around such superstar members as President Chen, Vice President Annette Lu (
This lack of democratic process has angered many over time, with some venting the discontent on Chen Chi-mai, who has otherwise maintained cozy ties with others. The revolt poses a crisis to the alliance's harmony with its impact unpredictable thus far.
TT: Will the revolt grow out of control?
Wang: I would not worry too much about that. It has been DPP culture that members compete with and criticize each another. But once a consensus is arrived at, all stay united. Also, the president has considerably adjusted his leadership. To my knowledge, he fully delegated the Cabinet shuffle to Premier Yu Shyi-kun. Only when Yu ran into snags did the president lend a helping hand.
I found the change wise and proper. Otherwise, the premier would have difficulty commanding respect from his subordinates. Though meek and wanting in eloquence, Yu is not hesitant to fight for his beliefs, as evidenced by his veto on the amendments to budget allocation rules.
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE: More than five earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook eastern Taiwan in rapid succession yesterday afternoon Back-to-back weather fronts are forecast to hit Taiwan this week, resulting in rain across the nation in the coming days, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday, as it also warned residents in mountainous regions to be wary of landslides and rockfalls. As the first front approached, sporadic rainfall began in central and northern parts of Taiwan yesterday, the agency said, adding that rain is forecast to intensify in those regions today, while brief showers would also affect other parts of the nation. A second weather system is forecast to arrive on Thursday, bringing additional rain to the whole nation until Sunday, it
LANDSLIDES POSSIBLE: The agency advised the public to avoid visiting mountainous regions due to more expected aftershocks and rainfall from a series of weather fronts A series of earthquakes over the past few days were likely aftershocks of the April 3 earthquake in Hualien County, with further aftershocks to be expected for up to a year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Based on the nation’s experience after the quake on Sept. 21, 1999, more aftershocks are possible over the next six months to a year, the agency said. A total of 103 earthquakes of magnitude 4 on the local magnitude scale or higher hit Hualien County from 5:08pm on Monday to 10:27am yesterday, with 27 of them exceeding magnitude 5. They included two, of magnitude
CONDITIONAL: The PRC imposes secret requirements that the funding it provides cannot be spent in states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Emma Reilly said China has been bribing UN officials to obtain “special benefits” and to block funding from countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a former UN employee told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. At a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee hearing into “international relations within the multilateral system,” former Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) employee Emma Reilly said in a written statement that “Beijing paid bribes to the two successive Presidents of the [UN] General Assembly” during the two-year negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Another way China exercises influence within the UN Secretariat is
Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique