The veteran DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) yesterday tendered his resignation as the chairman of the party's Central Review Committee, as his views on how to discipline the incarcerated former legislator Chou Po-lun (周伯倫) were at odds with those of the party headquarters.
The disputes arose from the disciplinary jurisdiction over Chou, as Shen claimed the party's Central Review Committee should have more power than the local party chapter in punishing Chou.
Shen insisted that Chou, who was found guilty of involvement in a corruption case and has been behind bars since February, should be disciplined by the party's Central Review Committee and his party membership revoked.
However, Chou, who quit his position as a lawmaker before the court delivered its final verdict, was only disciplined by the Hualien County Chapter. His punishment was a six-month suspension of his party membership.
While his colleagues yesterday tried to persuade Shen from resigning from the important post, he said firmly that "When did I ever contradict myself in anything I intended to do? I've never vacillated in any way before."
According to the relevant article in the DPP's disciplinary review, the disciplinary actions against Chou should be dealt with by his local chapter, as he'd lost his government post before he went to prison.
Shen, however, insisted Chou's disciplinary case should be dealt with at the party's central level, as he acted in a criminal manner during his tenure as a lawmaker.
In addition, Shen yesterday became involved in a row with the chairman of the party's arbitration committee, Chen Chi-sheng (
"How could I, the chairman of the Central Review Committee, be criticized by Chen in this way? Doesn't he know that it's a very prestigious position and that only those who enjoy the highest public support could take my position?" Shen said.
DPP Deputy Secretary General Lee Ying-yuan (
"Whether the disciplinary jurisdiction over Chou rests with the Hualien County Chapter or the Central Review Committee will be decided by the party's arbitration committee on July 10," Lee said.
Shen, a four-term DPP legislator, has recently been at odds with a number of the DPP's policies. He had on several occasions chided the DPP for failing to deliver on its promises to the public.
Last month, he vehemently criticized the minister of education Huang Jong-tsun (
At the time of that incident, Shen strongly called for President Chen Shui-bian (
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