The KMT's Central Standing Committee yesterday passed a proposal raised by its Evaluation and Discipline Committee to expel former National Police Adminis-tration director-general Yao Kao-chiao (姚高橋) and 10 other members for violating KMT party discipline.
Yao was expelled on the charge of stumping for DPP Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (
In response to the decision, Yao later announced he was rescinding his KMT membership and expressed regret for having been expelled.
"As a faithful KMT member, I am not the only who has been expelled or had to leave the party. I believe people can judge right from wrong. And time will prove I am right," Yao said.
Yao said in his statement that although the PFP threw its weight at the last moment behind KMT-recommended candidate Huang Jun-ying (
"It's because very few party members violated the party's nomination mechanism, but those same party members ignored the voice of grassroots members," Yao said.
Yao also defended his decision to support Hsieh's re-election by saying that Hsieh has always been concerned about safety in the city and he had vowed to cut down on crime.
"I simply offered him [Hsieh] my advice as a citizen. Unfortunately my decision was cruelly insulted by some KMT members. I had no choice but to show my public support for Hsieh," Yao said.
Yao led the National Police Administration from 1996 to 1997 and was once a member of the Central Standing Committee, the party's highest decision-making body.
In addition, the KMT yesterday also decided to expel former lawmaker Chen Horng-chi (
Chen Horng-chi, a former deputy director of KMT's organization department was expelled for defecting to the TSU last month. , Chen failed to win his bid for a third term as a lawmaker in December.
Chen Hsi-chi's membership was revoked for his public support of Hsieh in last week's election.
The KMT expelled eight other members for defying the party's policy and running for last week's city councilor elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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