Lawmakers criticize DPP over oil executive position

A former top business executive yesterday took the helm of the state-run oil company while the legislature's Economics Committee questioned the wisdom of the shuffle.

Kuo Chin-tsai (郭進財), former head of the Aurora Group (震旦集團), was sworn in as chairman of the Chinese Petroleum Corp, one of the nation's most lucrative enterprises.

With Vice Economics Minister Steve Chen (陳瑞隆) overseeing the ceremony, Kuo took over the helm from his predecessor Regis Chen (陳朝威).

The new CPC chief promised to make the government-owned company more customer-friendly under his leadership.

Lawmakers from across party lines, however, continued to cast doubt over his appointment.

KMT lawmaker Lee Sen-zong (李顯榮), for one, expressed reservations about Kuo's business ties.

He claimed that Kuo has heavily speculated in the local stock market, a fact that made him unqualified to head the state-run company.

According to Lee, many CPC employees are worried about being dismissed, as Kuo did not get along with his former subordinates.

Kuo, 57, was the managing director of the Real Tone Technology Corp (真通科技) after leaving Aurora late last year. He worked for the latter company for more than three decades.

DPP lawmaker Chiu Chui-chen (邱垂貞) shared the apprehension, saying the Cabinet had kept him in the dark about the shuffle.

"Though a member of the ruling party, I find it difficult to defend Kuo," Chiu told the economics committee. "Earlier, the Taipei Society had just criticized the government for cozying up to business interests."

Chiu said that he also could not understand why Regis Chen, who has been doing a good job, was forced to resign.

He urged the government to treasure professional merits when choosing candidates to steer national corporations.

The "pan-blue" camp has objected to several of the DPP's appointments for executive positions in state-run companies.