Critics blast Taiwan Salt appointment

According to Chinese-language media, the Executive Yuan plans to appoint former DPP legislator Cheng Pao-ching (鄭寶清) as chairman of the Taiwan Salt Industrial Corporation (TSIC) -- a move seen by critics as another step by the DPP to take control of government enterprises.

The TSIC, one of the few government enterprises that makes a profit, is scheduled to hold a meeting to elect new board members today.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs recommended last week that the Executive Yuan retain TSIC's current chairman and manager. But the Chinese-language media reported yesterday that the Executive Yuan "intervened strongly" to counter the recommendation.

It was reported that Yu Guang-hua (余光華), the current TSIC chairman, learned of the decision from the newspapers.

In response to reporters' questions, Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Yi-fu (林義夫) admitted that Cheng was one of the candidates for the post, but refused to give further information.

TSIC was reported to have said yesterday that employees were upset about the plans, as the TSIC union believed that Chang was not qualified for the post. The union will to hold a meeting to decide how to react to the appointment.

Chang, a member of the party's Justice Alliance, is a former member of the national assembly and a two-term legislator. Chang had hoped to run in last year's election for commissioner of Taoyuan County but failed to win the party's nomination. According to reports, Chang has also tried to secure the posts of chairman of Taiwan Power Company and vice chairman of the Commission of National Corporations (國營會) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.