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Divorce dents Chang Chun-hsiung's political career

Fair or not, former premier Chang Chun-hsiung's (張俊雄) recent divorce has cast a shadow over his political career.

The Presidential Office, earlier intent on naming Chang to the helm of the Examination Yuan, has become quiet after critics faulted Chang for failing to uphold traditional family values.

Chang, 64, now a senior adviser to the president, issued a brief statement last Sunday saying that he had divorced his first wife Hsu Jui-ying (徐瑞英) in March and married his girlfriend Chu Ah-ying (朱阿英) on April 4.

Many have expressed sympathy for Hsu and suspected she was forced to part with her ex-husband as she had put up with his extramarital affair for more than three decades.

Though wary of linking Chang's private life to his professional competence, opposition lawmakers have vowed to block his appointment, which must be confirmed by the legislature.

KMT lawmaker Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順) said she would cast her vote against Chang if President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) insists on giving him the job.

Feelings of indignation

"I have received many phone calls and letters lauding me for speaking out against Chang's nomination. The feeling of indignation is even stronger in Kaohsiung City where his ex-wife lives," said Huang, also a native of the southern municipality.

The Presidential Office is expected to unveil its nominees for the Examination Yuan president, vice president and 19 members next month or in June, as the legislature will recess for the summer.

Huang noted that, as premier, Chang failed to convene a women's rights panel under his supervision for fear that his triangular romance might be brought up to embarrass him.

"That is why I don't consider it unfair to take his character into account," Huang said. "A man incapable of keeping his family whole cannot effectively steer the Examination Yuan."

The organ is responsible for recruiting and evaluating all civil servants.

To calm the outcry, the former premier made an apology to his first wife and family Wednesday, but said he had braced himself for any potential fallout.

"I think it is time to put an end to the marred marriage," Chang told reporters. "I will bear the finger-pointing but am determined to protect my loved ones."

In 1994 when Chang ran for Kaohsiung mayor, Chu once stood on her knees branding herself a sinner at a campaign rally to beg forgiveness from potential voters.

Still, chances are Chang will be awarded the nomination if he can emerge from the uproar unscathed. As an absolute majority is needed to confirm all appointees, a partisan showdown is inevitable, with a dozen uncommitted lawmakers again to play the decisive role.

`Moral flaws'

The main opposition KMT has made clear it would not back a candidate with "moral flaws" and indicated it prefers to have sitting Examination Yuan President Hsu Shui-teh (許水德) remain at the helm. Hsu, a KMT heavyweight, has declined to comment on the matter to avoid encroaching on presidential power.

"By jilting his first wife and marrying a mistress, Chang has set a bad example for society," said KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正).

Similarly, the PFP has threatened to vote down Chang for what it calls political reasons.

The party blames the ex-premier for halting construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant for three months and shifting funds for cleaning up radioactive waste to other state-run entities.

"The stoppage cost state coffers more than NT$10 billion and shows that Chang lacks prudence in making public policy," PFP legislative leader Diane Lee (李慶安) said.

In October 2000, the Cabinet slammed the brakes on the partially built project over safety concerns, but revived it 100 days later, bowing to pressure from the opposition.

"If Chang is suitable, President Chen would not have replaced him with Yu Shyi-kun in the recent Cabinet shuffle," Lee said.

Together, the KMT and the PFP hold 112 seats in the 225-member legislature. The ruling camp, consisting of the DPP and the TSU, controls 102 seats.

Wang Tuoh (王拓), the DPP legislative whip, conceded it would be an uphill struggle for Chang to pass the confirmation, given the sentiment against him.

"I find the dispute over Chang's divorce nonsensical," Wang said. "But it would dim his prospects of heading the Examination Yuan were the vote to be held now."

He argued that the former premier, with distinguished administrative credentials, would make a good Examination Yuan chief.

"In any event, the president has not made his decision," Wang said. "He will help defuse resistance if he does give Chang the nomination."

Chen has asked the four parties to recommend two Examination Yuan members each.

But the opposition alliance would provide only a list of what is sees as suitable candidates without endorsing any of them.

"It will be more difficult for Chang to be confirmed than it was for the DPP to win the [legislative] vice speakership," pre-dicted Huang, the four-term KMT lawmaker.

The ruling coalition lost the vice speaker's race to the opposition on Feb.1 after two rounds of voting.
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