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DPP expands list of reform priorities to ten

"The `new DPP movement' will not disappear and the reform campaign will continue ... The name is not that important if reform goes on."

Tuan Yi-kang, convener of the DPP's New Tide faction

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) faction leaders yesterday agreed to expand the planned reforms from the six proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to ten, and to form ten task forces to help push those reforms forward.

The agreements were reached during a meeting called by Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), the director of the DPP's Policy Committee, and attended by faction leaders and senior lawmakers. It was held to reach consensus on communication and negotiation within the party, and on how best to forge ahead with reforms.

According to DPP caucus whip Jao Yung-ching (趙永清), the four additional areas of reform are the salaries of advisers to the president and provincial councilors, the bonus system of government appointees at state-controlled firms, the salaries of "double-dippers" -- referring to retired civil servants who work at government-funded institutions, and so get paid both a salary and retirement funds -- and reforming the Legislative Yuan. The party did not give details on specific goals in the four areas.

The DPP faction leaders also reaffirmed an agreement reached by party heavyweights on Saturday not to use the controversial phrase "new DPP movement" anymore, to prevent infighting among party factions, Jao said.

A meeting of faction heads will also be held once every two weeks to improve the party's internal communication.

Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康), convener of the New Tide faction and one of the original backers of the so-called "new DPP movement," said that he will do his best to avoid using the term to prevent misunderstandings, but that the spirit behind the movement is still alive.

"The `new DPP movement' will not disappear and the reform campaign will continue," Tuan said. "The name is not that important if reform goes on."

He also said that in the future his faction will strive to improve its communication with other DPP factions, and seek their support before presenting any reform proposals.

DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) said that the name of the reform does not matter much, because what really matters is to proceed ahead with change.

Lee has launched a signature drive to solicit support for the "new DPP movement" initiated by the party's Taipei County commissioner candidate Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) and Tuan.

Echoing Lee's opinion, DPP Legislator Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) said that President Chen shouldn't be so sensitive about the word "new" because he himself is fond of bandying it about.

Citing the example of the "new middle way" and "new cultural movement" introduced by President Chen in 2000, Lin said that the president has always asked government officials to have new ideas and think of new way of doing things.

Yesterday's meeting came after another called by DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) with faction leaders and party heavyweights on Saturday.
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