“To wear or not to wear?” was the question that unexpectedly sparked heated exchanges between Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) on the legislative floor yesterday.
At issue was whether Cabinet officials should take off their jackets while taking the floor to brief lawmakers and answer questions.
It all started when Lu asked Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) to take off his jacket to mark the government’s energy-conservation campaign. As Liu removed his suit coat, Wang, who was presiding over the interpellation session, took umbrage at Lu’s request.
Wang said it was better that government officials dress formally on the legislative floor to maintain the legislature’s dignity.
An unhappy Lu then asked Wang to suspend the interpellation session because he had disrespected her rights as a lawmaker to question the premier.
“I think [the officials] had shown enough respect by wearing a shirt and a tie,” she said.
“Not really ... that’s your personal opinion,” Wang responded.
As Wang and Lu bickered for five minutes, Liu quietly put back on his jacket and waited at the podium.
Wang said that although energy conservation and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions were a common goal, the dignity of the legislature must be maintained.
“Although there’s no relevant regulation, it is the international norm,” he said.
Lu disagreed, and called Wang “conservative.”
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