Hsieh must appoint NCC before he steps down: KMT

With Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) set to leave office, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday called on him to appoint the members of the National Communications Commission (NCC) before he departs.

"Although he is to lead the Cabinet in a mass resignation on Monday, he must do whatever he needs to do before leaving, including appointing the 12 NCC members in accordance with the law," KMT caucus whip Pan Wei-kang (潘維剛) said.

The Organic Law of the National Communications Commission (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that NCC members confirmed by the legislature must meet within three days to elect from among themselves one chairman and one vice chairman. The premier must then appoint the nominees seven days after the chair and vice chair are chosen.

The legislature last Thursday voted on the 13 NCC nominees, confirming 12 and rejecting one recommended by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

While the Executive Yuan did not receive the NCC nominations from the legislature until Monday, it is not too late for the premier to make the appointment by next Thursday.

The DPP caucus has said it will soon recommend two candidates to the review committee to fill the vacancy left by Lu Chung-chin (呂忠津), who withdrew his name two days after being recommended.

Pan yesterday made the call in response to a remark by Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Tuesday.

Cho said President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) would be consulted on the appointment of NCC members because it would be inappropriate for a caretaker Cabinet to make such a major decision.

The spokesman said it would be left to the new premier to decide whether to request a constitutional interpretation from the Council of Grand Justices on the NCC's composition.