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Legislators query fast promotion of intelligence chief

Career path * Military Intelligence Bureau Director Peng Sheng-chu was named vice chief of the general staff yesterday. * Peng previously headed the president's bodyguard detachment. * He was then promoted to Air Force chief of staff, a position he held for five months. * He was next named director of the Military Intelligence Bureau, holding that post for less than 10 months.

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday announced the promotion of chief of military intelligence Peng Sheng-chu (彭勝竹) to the post of vice chief of the general staff, sparking questions among opposition politicians.

Peng's rank was also raised to general.

Legislators questioned whether Peng's relationship with the president had anything to do with his "fast promotion."

"President Chen Shui-bian [陳水扁] has changed personnel for the director of the Military Intelligence Bureau [MIB] position too often. Peng was head of the bureau for less than 10 months, but his predecessor General Dai Po-te [戴伯特], who is currently commander of the Combined Logistics Command, was in the post only eight months, and General Yu Lien-fa [余連發], the Armed Forces Reserve commander, was in the position for one year," Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) said yesterday to reporters.

"As one of the nation's most significant security units, the military intelligence chief should serve a longer term to facilitate intelligence collection, and also to help the bureau shape and implement a long-term strategy," Lin said.

Lin said the position was apparently a "springboard" into higher positions for the military officials Chen loves.

The legislator alleged that Peng, as the former chief of Chen's bodyguard detachment, had enjoyed a good relationship with the president and that this was why he had risen so fast.

Peng had a five-month term as the Air Force's chief of staff before he became chief of the bureau, Lin said.

He said Peng's swift promotion was similar to that of Yu, who was also a former chief of Chen's bodyguard detachment. Yu was promoted to become director of the bureau and then Armed Forces Reserve commander.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) said he did not think the appointment was inappropriate.

"As the commander of the three forces, Chen has the right to appoint high-ranking military officials," Lee Wen-chung said.

Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (李傑) told the legislature last week that he agreed that the head of military intelligence should serve a longer term, and it would be better, in terms of the professionalism required, to select the chief from among bureau officials.

The ministry also announced that the Military Police commander, Lieutenant General Shen Shih-chih (沈世籍), would replace Peng.
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