TSU submits plan to cut government

The Cabinet should combine the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission as part of the government's program to cut unnecessary staff, the TSU argued in a proposal yesterday.

In addition, the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen should be disbanded and the functions of the Ministry of Justice expanded, the TSU said.

Lee's influence

Lee Shang-ren (李先仁), the director of the party's policy center, said the TSU's proposal was based in part on the advice of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝).

According to the TSU official, some of the functions of the foreign affairs ministry and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission overlap. Merging the two would save government resources.

In addition, the TSU says the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen isn't needed. The task of arranging jobs and caring for veteran soldiers can be given to the Ministry of National Defense and the yet-to-be created Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the party said.

Also, the powers of the Ministry of Justice should be expanded, adding a special anti-corruption unit and turning the ministry into the "Ministry of Justice and Anti-Corruption."

The TSU proposals are in some areas at odds with plans outlined by the Cabinet's Government Reform Committee, which is handling the downsizing efforts.

Lee said the party would negotiate with the DPP regarding the proposals.

Last month, the Government Reform Committee put forth its final plan for the proposed restructuring, suggesting that 36 Cabinet agencies be reduced to 23.

Time short

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has said he hopes the Executive Yuan will complete a bill to downsize the government for the legislature's review by the end of this month.

The president wants the measure to be implemented by May 20, 2004, when his term expires.