Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) yesterday publicly apologized for the conduct of the ministry's former secretary-general after he made derogatory remarks about the deceased father of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
During a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) campaign rally in Taichung on Sunday, Chuang Kuo-rong (莊國榮) insinuated that Ma's father, Ma Ho-ling (馬鶴凌), had affairs with several women and "screwed" his adopted daughter.
In an emergency press conference yesterday morning, Tu said Chuang's comments were "inappropriate" and apologized to the Ma family and the public for the remarks.
Tu stressed that "Professor Chuang's opinion does not represent that of the ministry or the administration."
Chuang tendered his resignation within hours of the Taichung rally and it was immediately approved by the minister.
He issued a statement last night, apologizing for his remarks.
"My public criticism of Ma Ho-ling turned into a personal attack. It was very inappropriate. I hereby apologize to Ma Ying-jeou and his family," the statement said.
Chuang also apologized to the public to "make up for the negative impact of this incident on society."
Chuang said he resigned because he had set a poor example by making the remarks as Ministry of Education (MOE) secretary-general.
He said he also felt sorry that his remarks had distracted the attention of the media, which in turn "ignored many touching stories" during the rally.
Cabinet Speaker Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said it was regrettable that Chuang made such a derogatory slur, but stressed that Chuang's position as MOE secretary-general was not a Cabinet-appointed position. Therefore, anything Chuang said should not be interpreted as the opinion of the administration, he said.
Chuang served as a public administration professor at National Chengchi University prior to his temporary post at the MOE. He is scheduled to return to his teaching position in May.
It was reported that the university is having second thoughts about allowing Chuang to resume his teaching job and is expected to hold a meeting to discuss the matter.
DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) also apologized to Ma over Chuang's remarks yesterday.
"I am calling for an end to any attacks on Ma's father and any other of his family members," Hsieh said.
Hsieh said he believed Ma was not behind attacks on his wife, mother and brother-in-law.
Neither did Hsieh believe Ma had instructed supporters to take down Hsieh's campaign flags and sprinkle ghost money at one of his campaign offices.
"We are competitors, not enemies," he said. "After the election, we will co-exist and cooperate with each other. We will work together to speak for Taiwan and protect this country."
In response, Ma said: "I'm willing to accept Mr Hsieh's apology and his call for a halt to negative campaigning. We made the same call on March 6, but some people just can't stop themselves."
Ma said he believed the public would pass its own judgment on Chuang's remarks.
Earlier yesterday, the KMT caucus demanded Chuang apologize to Ma, Ma's family and the public.
KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱), who attended the conference, urged voters to boycott the DPP, saying that the party had turned a blind eye to Chuang's past "controversial behavior" and remarks.
KMT Legislator Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) questioned Chuang's decision to resign but not to apologize, saying that Chuang tendered his resignation out of fear that his remarks could impact Frank Hsieh's electoral performance.
Additional reporting by Flora Wang, Ko Shu-ling and Rich Chang
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS